How do you prepare for Ramadan?

Ramadan is the month of worshipping, Allah, reciting Quran, doing charity work, praying Taraweeh, and more.

How do you prepare for Ramadan? To prepare for Ramadan you should fast every Monday, Thursday, and the white days of the month of Rajab and Sha’ban, recite Quran, and Dua, pray night prayer, do some charity work, and give zakat to the ones who need it, read about Ramadan and its significance. Ramadan is not just the month of fasting, there’re many things to do during this month.

Did you know that the name Ramadan comes from the word ramda’? ramda’ refers to intense heat. Another word from the same root is used to refer to the thirst of camels when they become thirsty. The plural form is Ramadaanaat or Ramaadeen or Armidah.

Abu Hurairah r.a narrated:

 ‏إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِين

“When the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

When Ramadan is approaching, as Muslims we should prepare for it, how do we do so, that’s what we will learn in this article.

 

What do Muslims do in preparation for Ramadan?

Ramadan needs some preparations to welcome it with open hearts, and here’s how to prepare yourself for it:

1-     Repentance.

When doing something wrong we should repent and ask Allah for forgiveness, not just in the month of amadan but at any time. If you committed a sin or did wrong to others repent for it, ask Allah for forgiveness, and try to fix what you did to others, give them their rights or see what you can do to make them better. By doing so, when Ramadan starts you will welcome it with an open heart.

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” [al-Nur 24:31]

Al-Agharr ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O people, repent to Allah for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.” Narrated by Muslim (2702)

2-     Supplication.

Always make Dua, ask Allah to help you worship him, obey him, accept the good deeds you do and forgive your sins, and help you to stay on the right path.

Here’s a dua to recite every day:

أَشهَدُ أَن لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله، أَستَغفِرُ الله، نَسأَلُكَ الجَنَّةَ ونَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّار

“I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah, I seek forgiveness from Allah, we ask you (O Allah) for Paradise and we seek refuge with you from the Hellfire.”

Ibn Khuzaimah narrated the following about the above hadith:

فاستكثروا فيه من أربع خصال, خصلتين ترضون بهما ربكم ، وخصلتين لا غنى بكم عنهما: فأما الخصلتان اللتان ترضون بهما ربكم: فشهادة أن لا إله إلا الله ، وتستغفرونه ، وأما اللتان لا غنى بكم عنهما : فتسألون الله الجنة ، وتعوذون به من النار

“And increase in this month (Ramadan) four matters; two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those of which you cannot make do without. As for the two matters which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should recite the testament of faith Lā ilāha illa Allāh and seek His forgiveness. And as for the other two matters without which you cannot make do, you should be asking Allāh for paradise and seek refuge with Him from the fire of Jahannam.”

And for that, the scholars encourage us to recite the above Dua day and night.

3-     welcome the month of Ramadan with happiness and joy.

Ramadan is one of the most beloved months of Allah. it’s a gift to us to become better versions of ourselves and worship Allah.

Abu Hurairah r.a narrated:

 ‏إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِين

“When the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Quran); —therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass.” [Yunus 10:58]

4-     Fast.

To prepare for Ramadan we should fast during Rajab and Shaban. Abu Salamah said: I heard ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) say: “I would owe fasts from the previous Ramadan and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha’ban.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari (1849) and Muslim (1146).]

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast until we said: He will not break his fast, and he used not to fast until we said: He will not fast. And I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) complete a month of fasting except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha’ban.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari (1868) and Muslim (1156).]

Usamah ibn Zayd said: “I said: O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any month as you fast in Sha’ban? He said: “That is a month that people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan, but it is a month in which people’s deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds and I would like my deeds to be taken up when I am fasting.” [Narrated by al-Nasai (2357); classed as hasan by al-Albani in Sahih al-Nasai.] 

From the above hadith, we can understand the importance of fasting in Shaban. During this month all our deeds are raised to Allah.

5-     Read about Ramadan and its significance.

To be ready for Ramadan you should read about it and understand why it’s an important month. It is the month were Quran was revealed to the prophet peace and blessing be upon him. By the beginning of Ramadan, hell gates close and all the devils are chained, and the heaven gates open. The prophet said:

“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.”

Throughout the month Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset to strengthen their relationship with Allah, and to come closer to him. It is the month of fasting, reciting Quran, remembering Allah, praying Taraweeh, and doing charity work. During the month families gather to have a good time.

After Ramadan ends, comes Eid al-Fitr which is a three days celebration for breaking the fast. The families gather together, exchange gifts, and spend a great time.

6-     Finish anything that may distract you from worshipping Allah during Ramadan.

7-     Sit with your kids and teach them about the month of Ramadan and its importance.

8-     Recite Quran.

To prepare for Ramadan you should start reading the holy Quran and make it part of your daily routine.

Salamah ibn Kuhayl said: “It was said that Sha’ban was the month of the Quran readers.”

Abu Bakr al-Balkhi said: “The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Sha’ban is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crops.”

Abu Bakr al-Balkhi also said: “The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’ban is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’ban, how can he reap in Ramadan? Now Rajab has passed, so what will you do in Sha’ban if you are seeking Ramadan? This is how your Prophet and the early generations of the ummah were in this blessed month, so what will you do?”  

 

How to prepare for Ramadan in Rajab?

To prepare yourself for Ramadan you should start early. But why should you start in Rajab?

Abu Bakr al-Balkhi also said: “The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’ban is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’ban, how can he reap in Ramadan? Now Rajab has passed, so what will you do in Sha’ban if you are seeking Ramadan? This is how your Prophet and the early generations of the ummah were in this blessed month, so what will you do?”   

One of the four sacred months in Islam is Rajab. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred…” (9:36)

The four sacred months are, Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram & Rajab. In a hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik, the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said that one of the favorite months of Allah is Rajab, and honoring this month pleases Allah

 

What should Muslims do in Rajab?

There are many things to do in Rajab to prepare for Ramadan, but mainly you should fast every Monday, and Thursday, and don’t forget to fast the white days which are the 13, 14, and 15 of the month.

The second thing to do is repent to Allah and ask for his forgiveness. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Satan said: By Your might, O Lord, I will continue to mislead the children of Adam, as long as their souls are in their bodies. The Lord said: By My might and majesty, I will continue to forgive them, as long as they seek My forgiveness.” [Musnad Aḥmad 11237]

Take time in your day to think of the sins and what you did wrong, repent to Allah, ask for his forgiveness, and to give you the power to obey him and to stay on the right path. During prayers, and afterward, ask Allah to forgive you and show you right from wrong.

You should also work on forgiving the ones who hurt you, that’s what we learn from our beloved prophet (peace and blessing be upon him). Don’t treat people as they treat you, always be kind to others and help the ones in need. I know that forgiving someone who hurt you is not easy, but remember you’re doing it for Allah, plus not forgiving others will only hurt you.

 

In Rajab you should start trying to stop doing any bad deeds. Let’s say for example talking about others. If that’s is something you do then you should try to quit it. At first, it will be hard but day after day it will get easier and with time you will stop it completely. When you start controlling your life and quitting any bad deed when the month of Ramadan comes you will see how easy it is to stop yourself from doing anything bad.   

 

How to prepare for Ramadan in Shaban?

Ramadan is not just for fasting, it’s the month of worshipping Allah and stopping ourselves from sinning, it’s the month where good deeds are multiplied. Fasting help, us control our actions and improve ourselves. That’s why we should prepare for Ramadan in Shaban and Rajab.  

Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for Ramadan:

1.     Fast.

To prepare yourself for Ramadan it’s a good idea to fast in Shaban, fast every Monday and Thursday. If you can fast the white days of the month, which are 13, 14, and 15 of the month.

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.’” (Narrated by al-Nasaai)

Why fast on Monday and Thursday? Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) used to fast on Monday and Thursday. When he was asked why Monday and Thursday 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.”

Abu Tharr Al-Ghefari said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) 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 (peace and blessing be upon him) also 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 Quran.

To prepare yourself to read Quran every day and do khatam Quran you should practice it first. Make Quran recitation part of your daily schedule, reflect on the verses of the Quran, and try to understand its meaning.  

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) related that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) 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.     pray Qiam (night prayer).

To prepare yourself for praying Taraweeh you should practice praying Qiam and Sunnah prayers. We should learn from the life of the prophet and try our best to follow his teachings and actions. Allah said in the holy Quan:

“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.     Repent to Allah and Make Dua.

As humans we make mistakes, but to get closer to Allah we should admit it that what we did was wrong and ask for his forgiveness. All is the only one who will forgive us no matter what we do.

Al-Agharr ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O people, repent to Allah for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.” Narrated by Muslim (2702)

 Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Satan said: By Your might, O Lord, I will continue to mislead the children of Adam, as long as their souls are in their bodies. The Lord said: By My might and majesty, I will continue to forgive them, as long as they seek My forgiveness.” [Musnad Aḥmad 11237]

The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “All the children of Adam constantly err, but the best of those who constantly err are those who constantly repent.” (Tirmidhi)

5.     give Zakat and help the ones in need

The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Allah is in the aid of His servant as long as His aide is in the assistance of others.” (Muslim)

Allah said in the Holy Quran:

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

 The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) also said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

 Learn more about the month of Shaban!

Hadiths about Ramadan and fasting

Narrated `Aisha:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 2017, Book 32, Hadith 4]

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty, and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it, the gates of the heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”‘ [Sunan an-Nasa’i 2106, Book 22, Hadith 17]

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1901, Book 30, Hadith 11]

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1923, Book 30, Hadith 32]

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1957, Book 30, Hadith 64]

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Fasting is a shield.” [Sahih Muslim 1151c, Book 13, Hadith 211]

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

“Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving tenfold to seven hundredfold rewards. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast), is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” [Sahih Muslim 1151e, Book 13, Hadith 213]

Sahl b. Sa’d (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

In Paradise, there is a gate which is called Rayyan through which only the people who fast would enter on the Day on Resurrection. None else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed: Where are the people who fast that they should be admitted into it? And when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no one would enter it. [Sahih Muslim 1152, Book 13, Hadith 216]

Abu Sa’id al Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from the Fire (of Hell) to the extent of seventy years’ distance. [Sahih Muslim 1153a, Book 13, Hadith 217]

It was narrated from ‘Aishah that she said:

“O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication if I come upon Laylatul-Qadr?” He said: “Say: ‘Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).'” [Sunan Ibn Majah 3850, Book 34, Hadith 24]

Anas bin Malik narrated:

“The Messenger of Allah would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salat. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 696, Book 8, Hadith 15]

 Narrated Abu Hurairah:

The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: How good is the believer’s meal of dates shortly before dawn? [Sunan Abi Dawud 2345, Book 14, Hadith 33]

 That’s it for today’s article, I hope you found it helpful, and for more information or if you have any questions visit our website Iqra Online.