As Ramadan approaches, how can we best prepare for this special month, filled with unmissable opportunities?
Understanding its Virtue
Ramadan is not just special because it occurs once a year, but because of its virtues. This special month is when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). This is the month of the Quran, a time we should all aim to gain closeness to Allah (S.W) through His beautiful words. Allah (S.W) mentions in the Quran:
سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ١٨٥
The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month,1 let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
Surah Al Baqarah ayah 185
This month is a month of mercy, a time for every Muslim to seek Allah (S.W)’s forgiveness for all that they may have made mistakes in. It’s a time when good deeds amount to more than they usually would, an opportunity for us to all try and gain as much reward as we possibly can.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1899, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1079
“When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”
The question we should all be asking ourselves is the following: ‘how can we make the most of this unmissable opportunity?’ The answer to this question lies in organising our time!
Organising Your Time
It’s important to start each day off with a good start. Start your day as you mean to continue, and that can look different for everyone. Some of us may start with a good stretch, some a nutritious meal before anything else and some of us like to start with our Quran before anything else and so on. But as we prepare for Ramadan, it’s important we begin to refine some of these good habits and even adapt them to this special month.
- A) Ramadan preparation often includes thinking and planning ahead. This is all to help you in making as much time as you can for worship and connecting with Allah S.W. One of the ways in which you can do this is to prepare your suhoor or plan your suhoor the night before. Spend some time researching and making a list of a couple suhoor meals that are nutritious and ones that will keep you energised throughput the day. Try to wake up at a good time for suhoor to give you enough time to pray and make dua.
- B) Make a note of your Quranic goals this Ramadan. Ask yourself, what is it you want to acheieve when it comes to the book of Allah (S.W)? Will you be focussing on revision? Contemplation? Memorisation? Or perhaps you want to spend some time on all three! Make a note of your goal and start writing out a schedule to help you achieve it. Try to make sure you keep this schedule realistic and slightly flexible to ensure you’re able to meet your daily targets.
- C) Try to ensure Iftar consists of light and energising food to begin with. It’s important to fuel your body with what it needs – not just what it wants.Plan your evening arround Iftar, Maghreb, Isha and then Taraweeh. In between each salah try to read some of your portion of Quran. And if you feel you’re able to, squeeze in a 10 minute excercise session! It’s all about ensuring you’re giving your body what it needs to get the most out of this special month.
Resetting Those Habits
Those spiritual habits which you’ve been trying to keep on top of? Now is the month to reset and refine them! It’s important not to set yourself with an endless list of achievements – that’s not to say don’t be ambitious! But it’s imperative that you leave Ramadan feeling as though you have genuinely improved – and not the opposite! Setting too many goals can interestingly also be setting yourself up for failure. And that doesn’t feel nice for anyone!
Whether it be increasing how much Quran you read or improving your concentration in prayer. Find something under the following categories to focus on this Ramadan:
A) Something spiritual related (salah, Quran, Dua etc.)
B) Something lifestyle-related (Waking up early, drinking enough water, eating healthier etc)
C) Something related to your mental health (exercising more, writing a journal, starting a hobby)
Once you have written out your habits underneath these categories, try to focus on something specific within them. For example, there are many components to salah, perhaps focusing on trying to perfect the obligatory duas first is a good idea. With something lifestyle-related, choose one habit; for example, eating healthier, and make it your goal to do that throughout the month. The same principle applies to the habit you choose related to your mental health. Because it’s all about the quality of these habits – not the quantity!
Quality Over Quantity
There’s a misconception that we would like to get rid of. And that’s regarding the success of something being directly related to the quantity of it. For example, having many habits must mean you’re successful in all of them, but that’s generally not the case! To establish a good habit successfully, it’s important to give it care and attention. It’s the quality of the habit that determines its success!
This Ramadan, try to remember that the main goal is to achieve closeness to your lord. As human beings, none of us are perfect, and we’re not even expected to be. But that doesn’t mean we don’t strive for excellence! Try to focus on elements of your life which you would like to improve – all for one goal. And that goal is increasing in Taqwa.
Having Taqwa can be defined as being conscious of Allah S.W in all actions. Try to remember that in every effort you exert, you are doing it for His sake alone. Make it your goal each day to try to choose what is pleasing to Him over what is pleasing to You.
May Allah (S.W) bless you with a beautiful and fruitful Ramadan, Ukhti. And may He accept each and every effort from you!
