Ramadan preperations

Time management

Time is all we have and we ought to be mindful in how we spend our time in this world, this life, because it is something we will be asked about on the Day of Judgement. In the month of Ramadan, although we are fasting and waking up early, although this is something that we should be doing each and every day, we don't fast everyday so energy is lower than usual, which we need to take into consideration. Managing our usual schedules to make extra time for our Creator. 

Buy Eid outfits and gifts now, to avoid wasting precious time in Ramadan.

Set goals

What would you like to achieve this Ramadan? make some time to think about what you really want to get from this Ramadan to take with you, build a habit that can improve your iman [faith], whether you would like to learn a new Surah from the Qur'an, memorise a dua, add sunnah prayers additionally to your 5 obligatory prayers or to pray all your 5 obligatory prayers. whatever it may be, put it in writing and dont ever feel that its too much to achieve. its about having belief and hope that with your efforts and Allah's will, you can attain your goal, in Shaa Allah. 

Meal and nutritional considerations 

"Let man consider his food."

[Qur'an: Surah al-'Abasa (He Frowned) 80, verse 24]

When it comes to breaking your fast, we should be mindful of what we put into our bodies, as food and drink all have a impact on our energy levels. Seek food that are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, and plenty of water.

I have done my research and here are some foods which we ought to avoid during Iftar and Suhoor: 

a few things to avoid are over-eating, snacking after Iftar, skipping suhoor, drinking caffeine. we should avoid food that are fried

To feel more energetic throughout your day, you should eat a healthy light breakfast at suhoor time:

 Fruit and vegetables: 

rich in fibre

increase the feeling of fullness

contain vitamins and minerals

Rice and alternatives:

brown rice

wholemeal bread [takes longer to digest, helping to maintain energy levels for longer]

Meat

source of protein

fish, chicken, red meat

Self care

Making sure that you get enough sleep, exercise, fresh air, etc. These are very important for your well-being. Depending on your usual routine outside of Ramadan. It is always good to maintain it with some adjustments. To say no to extra commitments,  to eat healthily and not to over eat and taking breaks when needed.

Fast once or twice a week, in the weeks coming up to Ramadan

The month Shaban was one of the months in which the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ would fast most in regards to the rest of the year and of course Ramadan. 

Start praying at night

If you find iit difficult to wake up for tahajjud (The recitation of Qur'an and prayers during the night), pray a minimum of 2 rakahs in addition to what you usually pray for isha prayer before you g to sleep.

Make Dua list

A list of Duas, some of which you have memorised and some which you wish to memorise are handy to have prepared before Ramadan, so not to use that time in the Holy month. In this month Allah forgives sins and accepts repentance, so its a great time to seek His forgiveness during this blessed month.

Upon breaking your fast:

Allahumma laka sumtu wa 'ala rizqika aftartu

"O Allah, I have fasted for Your sake and broken the fast upon Your provisions."

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu 

O Allah! I fast for You, I trust You, I put my faith in You, and I break the fast with Your sustenance.

Supplication in seeking Lailatul Qadar [Night of Power]:

Allahumma innaKa 'Afuwwun, tuhibbul 'afwa, fa'fu 'anni

"O Allah, You are indeed Forgiving and love to forgive, so forgive me."

(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

Suhoor Dua:

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan

I intend to keep this fast for tomorrow in the holy month of Ramadan.

Increase Qur'an recitations/reading

Make it a habit in reading the Qur'an now and make it continuous during and after Ramadan. Increase little by little, maybe read Qur'an after every obligatory prayer, even if it is several verses and then maybe increase. 

Reading the Qur'an is a form of worship, a guide and a cure for mankind. You get rewarded for each letter you recite from the Qur'an, SubhanAllah [Glory Be to Allah].

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Whoever recites a letter from Allah's Book, then he will receive the rewards from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Meem is a letter."

[Sunan at-Tirmidhi]

Muslims who find it difficult or struggle with reciting the Qur'an will get a doubled reward, Allahu Akbar [Allah is Great].

"The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur'an will be with the honourable and obedient scribes (angels), and he who recites the Qur'an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite in the best way possible, will have two rewards."

[Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim]

Read translation of Qur'an for better understanding 

The Qur'an is in Arabic but it has been translated in many other languages for us to grasp a better understanding. It is very important that we understand what we are saying during the prayer and when reading the Qur'an in order to benefit from the Word of Allah. 

"Read the Qur'an, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection interceding for its companions."

[Sahih Muslim Hadith 804]

Get into habit of giving to charity 

"And establish prayer and give Zakah and bow with those who bow (in worship and obedience)."

[Qur'an: Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2, verse 43]

If you are to donate  Iftar to the poor in other countries now, it is more likely that it would reach them by the beginning of Ramadan.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Whoever provides iftar for a fasting person, he will have the same reward as him, without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person."

[Tirimidhi]

Invest in a Ramadan planner

There are many planners that can be bought online and Islamic book shops and there are some you can download for free and print off. [below is a free Ramadan planner you can download and print off].

If there is anything of importance that could benefit others don't hesitate to use the contact form. JazakAllah khair.