6 ways to prepare for Ramadan before it starts

Ramadan is the most auspicious month of the year for Muslims. Around the world, we aim to use the month to redevelop or enhance our connection with Allah (SWT) and so the month is of extreme importance to every Muslim. Naturally, it makes sense for us to prepare for the month beforehand, primarily so we can get the best out of the immense blessings in store for us. Here are 6 ways you can prepare for Ramadan 2021 before it begins:

1. Prepare a schedule to follow 

It is not unnatural to feel lost and incoherent during the first few days of the month. With fasting, Tarawih and other practices comes a different and mostly novel format to the day. The way to make sure you are not a confused mess during the first few days is to prepare a schedule to follow beforehand, meaning that you must note down all the different practices you wish to commit to during the month and try to find a way to incorporate them with other professional and personal commitments. An easy way to do this is to think of the different pockets of free time you have throughout the day and fit in a prioritized list of deeds within those time-slots.
 

Be sure not to overburden yourself and set unmatchable goals and targets, you do not want to jeopardize other important aspects of your life, nor realize that you’ve created a mountain too high to climb mid-Ramadan. Take it easy on yourself, but think of goals and targets beforehand and you shall sail through the beautiful month!
 

2. Improve your Salah 

Ramadan Kareem is all about trying your best to please Allah (SWT) and capturing as much of the tremendous blessings bestowed upon us during the month. Salah is one of the most important modes of prayer and perhaps the quintessential mode of submission to Allah (SWT), so spending some time improving different aspects of your prayer will definitely go a long way in getting the most out of the month. Be it during Taraweeh or late-night Nafls, a concentrated proper Salah will exponentially increase the pleasure you get out of praying to the Almighty. This article has some brilliant tips for enhancing the quality of your Salah.

3. Read up on the uniqueness of Ramadan 

As narrated by Abu Huraira (RA), the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: 
“When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1898)

This Hadith is just one of the many Ahadith that outline the immense significance of Ramadan and show how ideal of an opportunity the month is to regain one’s connection with religion. It is perhaps pertinent, then, to really understand the immense value of the month in order to be fully motivated and inspired to extract the most from it. This information will be of immense benefit during those tough fasts and tiring Tarawihs, since you will constantly be aware of the enormous rewards in store for you in return for miniscule efforts.
 

Reading up on the auspiciousness of the month will not only give you an increased sense of motivation to engage yourself in as many good deeds as possible during the month, but will also create an eagerness for the month to arrive. What better than to prepare for the month by displaying the same eagerness that the beloved Prophet (PBUH) would display?


4. Think of healthy Iftar meals 

In the raging hunger that we feel during that helpless await for the Athan, most would testify that eating healthy is usually very low on the agenda. However, we must understand that Ramadan is more about re-establishing a commitment to Islam than about chomping down on uncountable plates of food, so it is important to be wary of what we eat during the month. It is also, of course, important to not gain a hundred kilos during the month, so it may be pertinent to think of ways through which Iftar and Sehri can be made healthier. Take a look at these effective tips for preparing healthy Iftar meals. Pre-planning for a healthy Iftaar may also be less burdensome on the wallet!
 

5. Complete your Eid shopping 

Unless you enjoy going out to shop during Ramadan, it is perhaps a good idea to shop for Eid before the month begins. Taking time out to shop in the midst of a usually packed Ramadan schedule may be a hard thing to do, so shopping beforehand may just make your life a whole lot easier. You may also succeed in banking on some amazing discounts!
 

6. Take care of someone else’s Ramadan 

Some of us are more privileged than others, but the Muslim Ummah is one and must take care of each other.
 

Abu Hurraira (RA) noted that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, “ Whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and the Hereafter.” (Tirmidhi: 1930)

Let’s face it: Ramadan can be a real financial burden on some people, which makes it all the more important for those privileged enough to ease their burdens. There is perhaps no better feeling than knowing you have made someone else’s life more comfortable or rid them of a severe burden. If you know someone who could use a little help in preparing for the month, do not hesitate to help them out. Islam is more than just a set of rituals; a true Muslim is one who worries about and cares for his or her fellow Muslims, take this opportunity to please the Almighty and emulate the beautiful ways of our Prophet (PBUH)!
The beautiful month is very close by and we’re sure you are as excited as we are. After all, who would want to miss those scrumptious Iftars? Here is to Ramadan well-prepared and flooded with happiness and fulfillment!

Also See:
Ramadan Duas and Ramadan Ashra Duas
Ramadan Calendar 2021