There is no doubt that Ramadan is the most blessed month for Muslims. Most of us start worshiping and deeply go into religious practices when month of Ramadan starts, but this enthusiasm fades ways when Ramadan ends. The noble companions of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) used to prepare for Ramadan six months in advance.
The blessed & most beautiful month is near and what better time to prepare for it than right now. Some of us deceive ourselves into thinking that when Ramadan comes we will suddenly change and worship Allah night and day but we are only deceiving ourselves in thinking like this.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
[su_quote]Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts at other times.[/su_quote](Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)
Here are few acts to perform before the month of Ramadan for preparation.
1. Voluntary Fasts
This is the best way of preparing for Ramadan is voluntary fast because we can practice and get the experience of fasting before the holy month of Ramadan starts. It is suggested to fast Monday and Thursday of every week as our holy Prophet Mohammed fasted most on these days and there is a great reward for these voluntary fasts. We should Fast voluntarily not only before the month of Ramadan but also we should continue to do so after Ramadan because fasting will intercede on the day of judgment.
2. Reciting Qur’an
In Quran Allah SWT says
[su_quote]The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you, witnesses this month, let him fast it.[/su_quote](Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)
In Ramadan, we should devote most of our time in reciting the Holy Quran because the Quran was revealed in this month of blessings. As Ramadan is approaching we start reading the Quran as more as possible so that we can gain momentum to read more and more Quran in Month of Ramadan.
3. Praying Nawafils
In the month of Ramadan rewards of every good act is increased seventy times. The reward of obligatory acts is increased to fard acts and the reward for fard worships is increased seventy times. As they are limit of fard prayers we can offer in a day but we can get as many rewards as fard prayers in Ramadan as many times we want. So as preparation of Ramadan we can start offering extra nawafils prayers so that we can earn more rewards before Ramadan and after Ramadan.
4. Making Dua
Dua/Supplication is the most important element of worship. Most of us don’t spend much time in Dua after prayer and we don’t represent our heart and mind in Dua. We should make our duas lengthy and express what we want from Allah. Allah SWT likes his obedient person asking for his help even in the smallest tasks. Duas are especially accepted in the month of Ramadan so before Ramadan, we should try to practice supplicating more elaborated and asking Allah SWT What we want from Him.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
[su_quote]When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.[/su_quote]
5. Sincere Repentance
Allah SWT wants his believers to repent on their wrongdoings so that Allah forgives their sins with his mercy.
[su_quote]Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him] in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves in purity.[/su_quote](Qur’an 2:222)
To make the best repenting to Allah SWT in Ramadan, we should get into the habit of repenting to Allah., So that we can get forgiveness of all sins in the holy month of Ramadan.
6. Generosity & Charity
Ramadan is a month of generosity and giving for Muslims. As our holy Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him who was always generous became even more generous in the holy month of Ramadan.
The Prophet Peace be upon Him said,
“The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmidhi).
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said,
[su_quote]He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.[/su_quote](Ahmad).
7. Improving Character & manners
Prophet Mohammed Peace be Upon him used to say:
[su_quote]The best of you are those who have the best manners and character.[/su_quote](al-Bukhari)
We can’t make our manners and character perfect overnight. But we must start improving our characters before the holy month of Ramadan to become a noble Muslim and closer to Allah.
8. Moderation in eating
It is now a well-established fact that excessive eating is not good for health. It also renders our ability more worship to Allah. It is also against the purpose of Ramadan to overeat. Ramadan teaches us to be moderate in eating habits. So, before Ramadan, we should build habit of moderation in eating before the holy month of Ramadan arrives. Some people overeat in Ramadan too after opening fast which is also against the philosophy of Ramadan.
Al-Hassan Al-Basri:
Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.
And:
Wisdom does not reside in a full stomach.
9. Implementing Sunnah’s into Daily life
It is a command from Allah SWT for Muslims to follow the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) in every aspect of life. The life of our Prophet is standard for us and we should strive hard to revive is sunnah in every aspect of life.
