Welcome Ramadhan

With barely a few days left between us and the blessed month of fasting, it’s crucial to start preparing, not just physically, but also mentally. Here are a couple of quick ways to get into Ramadan mode before it begins.

1. Plan out what good deeds you want to do:

While doing good can be random and sporadic, planned good works offer more benefit for you spiritually.

2. Decorate:

The visual reminder of Ramadhan at your home & Mosque will help raise the anticipation level.

3. Set up a countdown:

Put up a “Countdown to Ramadan" chart on your fridge. Cross out each day left of Shaban. Seeing the days flying by can give us a sense of urgency that the blessed month is about to begin.

4. Tweak your schedule:

Weed out anything extra that would take away from time for additional prayers, Quran reading, and other forms of worship. That can include television watching, socializing, extra projects at work, and bigger chores around the house.

5. Plan a “Welcome Ramadan” party:

If you intend to forego Iftar parties this Ramadan, then instead plan a “Welcome Ramadan” fete. With summer still in swing, this can simply be a potluck barbecue with family and friends, followed by a brief talk and discussion about the blessed month, its benefits, as well as what each guest (and host) hopes to accomplish.

6. Revising the intention:

One should revise his/her intention before the coming of Ramadan. Intention is the main origin in all deeds. It is a standard by which deeds are accepted or rejected. If the intention is pure, Allah (SWT) will accept the deeds. And if it is corrupt, then the deeds will be rejected.

7. Repenting from sins:

Ramadan is a great opportunity for us to return in repentance to our Supreme Lord, because people are released from Hell on every night during this month and it is a special honor of Ramadan. After repentance for sins, every person is able to secure this honor.

8. Hoping for reward:

As a Muslim, one should hope for reward while doing good deeds. A believer always hopes to enter Paradise while doing good deeds. Being sincere in good deeds one must hope for their rewards from Allah (SWT) and the only hope of a believer is to enter Paradise. 

9. Providing food for a fasting person to break his fast:

Making arrangements for a fasting person to break his/her fast is as good as fasting itself. Providing food and drink to the people observing fast is not necessary, if one does so, it will have extra reward but that must be done according to one’s capability and with good intentions.

10. Reciting the Holy Quran:

Quran is the book of guidance for believers. As Muslims, we all know the status of Quran and its recitation. From authentic Ahadith we know that reciting the Glorious Quran has countless rewards. Quran has even more of an important significance and rewards in the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Quran will intercede for those who recite it on the Day of Resurrection.

11. Avoiding backbiting, slandering and vain talk:

A Muslim, as a rule, is commanded to refrain from things like vulgar and obscene talk and other activities of the Days of Ignorance. And when he is fasting, it is more important that he observe abstinence from all evil activities in all circumstances. Rather than engaging in disputes, he is advised to plainly declare to his opponent that he is fasting, so that all doors to any bad conduct are shut.

12. Avoiding much sleep and food:

Islam is a natural religion (a religion towards Fitrah) based on moderation, middle course, and away from excessiveness. Therefore, it urges to eat and drink normally. One should not exceed the limits. Eating too much causes much sleep which results in abundance of worship and achieving great rewards. Moreover, a Muslim should not sleep, eat and drink a lot to deprive himself from such great opportunity.

13. Praying Nawafil (Voluntary Prayer) During Ramadan:

Voluntary prayer during any time of the year is recommended and merits great rewards from Allah (SWT), even so during Ramadan. In addition to daily voluntary prayers much emphasis is given to thousand rakats of Ramadhan voluntary night prayers.

14. Knowing the importance of last ten days and nights of Ramadan:

There should be more than usual emphasis on performing the acts of worship and devotion during the last ten (or nine) days of Ramadan. Last ten days and nights of Ramadan have a unique importance in Islam.

It has more virtues and significance especially the odd nights i.e. 19, 21, 23. These odd nights include the Night of Decree according to Qur’an and Sunnah. Worshipping in this night is better than a thousand months and whoever spends Laitlat Al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.