Ramadan 1437 Preparation
1. Sincere Repentance
“And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” - Q24:31
2. Increased Dua’
We know that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to pray and prepare six months before Ramadan then they would pray for months afterwards that it be accepted. We may very well never reach that level but we can also make dua to Allah that we meet the month of Ramadan in good health and strong iman.
3. Be Pleased at the Coming of the Month
A month in which the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. It is the month of the Quran and and one of multiple rewards. This should lighten up our hearts and put a smile on our faces as Ramadan is such a great blessing.
“Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allaah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Quran); —therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass” - Q10:58
4. Makeup all Owed Fasts + Make Sunnah Fasts
Abu Salamah said: I heard ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) say: "I would owe fasts from the previous Ramadaan and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha’baan" - Bukhaari and Muslim.
It was narrated that Usaamah ibn Zayd said: O Messenger of Allaah, I do not see you fasting in any month as you fast in Sha’baan? 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.” - al-Nasaa’i
5. Establish Your Routine
We as Muslims must seek knowledge always. And with the approaching month of Ramadan, it is important to read up on rules of fasting and to understand the virtues of Ramadaan. We must work on our routine and avoid anything that will be a distraction to us during Ramadan. We must position ourselves so as to reap the maximum rewards the month of Ramadan has to offer.
6. Read the Quran