By HarunA razaq

Last week, we examined the etiquette with Shaban concentrating on some of the recommended acts in Shaban and innovation that was later introduced by some Muslims. Today we shall focus on “how to prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan”.  The importance of preparing for Ramadan can not be overemphasized in Islam . Because it is the habit of a conscious Muslim from time of the prophet (s.a.w).  An axiom says: “proper planning prevent poor performance”.

It is not a disputed fact that many of the present day Muslims do not perform their religious duty properly or do involve in vices during the blessed month of Ramadan.

One of the major factor  responsible for this ugly practice is lack of proper planning for the month.  We hereby present below some steps that will ––insha Allah ––help to achieve full reward of the month of Ramadan.

Intention: Determine to carry out a lot of good deeds during the month of Ramadan.   Even if one dies before the month with that intention, one would still have the reward according to the saying of the prophet (s.a.w).

Mark out your objectives for Ramadan and plan out how to realize them by putting them into practice before the month.  For example:
Taubah by saying “”astagfirllah “” 100 times daily and Moving away from sin by discarding one sin daily .

Salat – Compulsory prayers: for example to pray every day in jamah, before Ramadan. – Non-obligatory  prayers: for example to pray the 12 highly recommended non obligatory prayers (2 before Fajr, 4 or 2 before Dhuhr and 2 or 4 after, 2 after Maghreb and 2 after Ishaa) every day before Ramadan Quran – How many times do you intend to read the whole Quran in this month, how many pages a day? For example, to read the Quran twice while contemplating its meaning start by reading certain page before Ramadan Charity – For example, set aside #100 a day to give in charity. It is not only limited to money, but also include being generous, inviting people over to break their fast etc.

Ibn ‘Abbas narrated: “”The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him, and Jibril used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month.

The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Jibril, and when Jibril met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).”” (Reported by Al-Bukhari) you can start with #50 per day. Taraweeh – For example, you may intend to pray tarawih every night in the masjid where they recite a juzz” a night.  Start by praying in congregation especially where they recite long verses or chapters of the Qur’an on salat kinship – The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “that a person who cuts off his ties of kinship will not enter paradise”.

Therefore, maintain your ties of kinship and contact all of your relatives before Ramadan. Dawah: – Try and guide a non-practising friend to Islam, or give out books and tapes about Islam during the month, etc. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “If Allah were to guide someone on your hands, it would be better for you than this whole earth and what it contains”.

Du’a (supplication) – The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “A fasting person, upon breaking his fast, has a supplication that will not be rejected”.  Therefore make use of this opportunity. Make a list of supplications, and continually say them throughout the month.

The companions used to continually repeat their supplications during the month of Ramadan, and they would say, that the next Ramadan would not come until all those supplications were answered. Start by making supplicating to Allah, and don’t forget to make du’a for the Muslims before Ramadan.