10 Beneficial Tips to Prepare for Ramadhan
by Shaykh Abdul Raheem Limbada hafizahullah
1. To Keep Some Nafil Fasts in the Month of Sha’baan
This will get you into the habit and routine, and then fasting will become easy. The Prophet ﷺ used to fast a lot in the month of Sha’baan.
2. Sincere Tawba & Istighfaar
Istighfaar (abundance of it) cleanses the heart, then the NOOR and Barakah of Ramadhan will enter the heart.
3. Salah
Start praying 5 times a day (with Jamaat and Takbeere Ulaa.) Ladies should pray in the beginning time. Also increase nawaafil.
4. Zakat
Calculate Zakat & give it in Sha’baan, or you can give it out gradually throughout Ramadhan. Give some nafil sadaqah, khayraat, & lillah as well.
5. Giving Up Bad Habits
Give up all bad habits before Ramadhan starts. If we don’t, our bad habits will carry on throughout Ramadhan too. They will hinder our progress.
6. Being on Good Terms With Close Ones
Forgive one another, help one another, support one another. Spring clean the heart and detoxify it before the body. Give up backbiting, swearing, & all vulgar language.
7. Qadha Salah, Sawn, & Kaffarah
If you have missed any fasts from last Ramadhan, make up for them before Ramadhan starts. Also make up for any qadha salah, kafaraa etc..
8. Plan Your Daily Schedule
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Lead an organised systematic life. This will help you throughout Ramadhan, as well as afterwards.
9. Dua
The Prophet ﷺ used to make this Dua:
اللّهُم سَلِّمْنِي لِرَمَضَانَ وسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِي وتَسَلَّمْهُ مِنِّي مُتَقَبَّلًًا
“O Allah! Keep me safe for Ramadhan, and keep Ramadhan safe for me, and receive it from me with acceptance.”
10. Social Media
Give it up or minimize it, and use it only for necessity. This will help you focus on salah, tilaawat, dua & tasbeehat.