7 Essential Preparations For Ramadan
People—except
those whom Allah has mercy upon—get busy preparing for the arrival of Ramadan
by preparing food and grilled dishes, stocking their refrigerators with all
kinds of delicacies, and other consumerist matters that have no connection with
the month of fasting and the Quran.
Some people
prepare for Ramadan feasts, buying decorations and Eid clothes, while others
get ready to follow TV series, visit Ramadan tents, and the like, all of which
stray from the spirit of the blessed month.
Here are 7
urgent tips before the arrival of Ramadan:
First:
Supplicate to Allah to reach Ramadan:
It was narrated
from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, when the month of Rajab began: “O God, bless
us in Rajab and Sha'ban and bring us to Ramadan.” (Ahmad
and Al-Tabarani)
Second:
Repentance and abandoning sins:
Allah Almighty
says: “O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere
repentance.” (At-Tahrim: 8)
Make your intention to repent, avoid sins and transgressions, and let Ramadan
be a new page for you with Allah. Strive to increase your good deeds and
perfect your fasting and night prayers.
The Prophet (peace
be upon him) 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 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.” (An-Nasa’i
and Al-Bayhaqi)
Third: Plan to
benefit from Ramadan:
A Muslim should
set a daily schedule during the month of fasting, filled with remembrance, supplication, Quran
recitation, charity, and night prayer. Also, set a monthly plan, prioritizing
acts of worship so that by the end of Ramadan, you achieve the highest ranks in
the race for piety.
Fourth: Prepare mentally and spiritually:
Be joyful at
the arrival of this noble month, listen to beneficial lectures and lessons that
explain the virtues and rulings of fasting, read books about the merits of
Ramadan, and review prophetic hadiths that encourage embracing this month.
Fifth: Stop bad habits:
A few days
before Ramadan, quit smoking and staying up late, reduce overeating, avoid
spending time in cafés, watching series and movies, and limit phone and social
media use. Strive early against the devil, refine your surroundings, so that
you gain in the month that contains Laylat al-Qadr, a night better than a
thousand months.
Sixth: Keep
company with those who help you obey Allah:
Righteous
companionship will help you succeed in Ramadan, stick to your program, and
achieve your goals. Compete to finish the Quran multiple times, maintain night
prayers, and accompany those who engage in i`tikaf and good deeds. The pious
predecessors said: “Keep the company of those who, when you remember Allah,
they help you, and when you forget, they remind you.”
Seventh: Start
your campaign of change immediately:
Let Ramadan be
an opportunity for change and moral refinement. Aim to change a blameworthy
trait in yourself or adopt a new virtue not previously rooted in your
character. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If one does
not abandon falsehood and action in accordance with it, God had no need that he
should abandon his food and his drink.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Read Also:
-
How to Get Ready for Ramadan
-
Economic Meanings of Ramadan
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