One Ummah News - 17 Apr 2025
Learn how to prepare for Ramadan using 7 essential methods for a spiritually enriching experience. Start today
As the sacred month of Ramadan approaches, the hearts of believers worldwide stir with anticipation. Ramadan isn't just another month on the calendar; it is a divine invitation from Allahﷻ to cleanse our souls, seek His forgiveness and elevate our Emaan. Yet, how often have we reached the end of Ramadan, only to be filled with regret, wondering where the time went? Our beloved Prophet Muhammadﷺ taught us: "Regret is repentance.” –[Ibn Majah]. But what if we could avoid this regret altogether? What if we could better ourselves in preparing for Ramadan?
Imagine Ramadan as a glorified guest that visits your home once a year. Would you not prepare rigorously for such an honoured visitor? Ibn Rajab reported: Ma’la ibn al-Fadl, may Allahﷻ have mercy on him, said: “The companions would supplicate to Allah for six months prior that they would reach Ramadan. Then, they would supplicate to him for six months afterward to accept their deeds.” –[Laṭā’if al-Ma’ārif 1/138].
The Sahaba would devote six whole months to spiritually preparing their hearts, minds and souls for Ramadan. Following Ramadan, they would then spend six more months in deep reflection and consistent Ibadah to safeguard their deeds. Compare this to our modern times, where we often struggle to dedicate even a few days to prepare for Ramadan, Subhan’Allah. This article will give you valuable insights and knowledge on how to prepare for Ramadan in five transformative ways.
Are you truly ready for what could be the most transformative month of your life? Or will you, like many before, be caught unprepared when the crescent moon is sighted?
Preparation isn't just beneficial—it's essential. The Prophet Muhammadﷺ taught us through his Sunnah that preparation is key to meaningful worship. Just as a farmer prepares the soil before planting seeds, we must prepare our hearts before planting spiritual seeds of growth.
Allahﷻ says in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)." –[2:183]. This piety isn't achieved overnight—it requires intentional preparation.
Without intentional preparation for Ramadan, we risk:
•Spending the first week adjusting to the change in routine ❌
•Missing opportunities for increased rewards ❌
•Experiencing spiritual burnout before reaching the last ten nights ❌
•Ending Ramadan with the bitter taste of unfulfilled potential ❌
We can mitigate these risks Insha'Allah, by preparing for Ramadan with the utmost effort, intention and dedication.
1️⃣ Purify Your Intention (Niyyah): Clarify your intention for Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammadﷺ said: "Indeed, actions are judged by intentions, and everyone will get what they intended." –[Bukhari].
Ask yourself: Is my intention solely to please Allahﷻ? Or am I fasting out of habit or cultural expectation? Like Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ who purified his heart before building the Ka'bah, purify your Niyyah before entering Ramadan's sacred space.
Practical Step: Write down specific intentions for what you wish to achieve this Ramadan—whether it's completing the Qur’an, improving specific behaviours, or deepening your connection with Allahﷻ.
2️⃣ Sincere Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness: We should always seek repentance and strive for righteousness, especially as Ramadan approaches. Now is the perfect time to repent sincerely for any sins between you and Allahﷻ, and to reconcile with others by giving them their due rights and seeking forgiveness. This way, when the blessed month begins, you can engage in acts of worship with a purified heart and a peaceful mind, fully devoted to the mercy and blessings of Allahﷻ.
Al-Agharr ibn Yasar, may Allahﷻ be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophetﷺ said: “O people, repent to Allah for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.” –[Muslim].
Practical Step: Follow the advice of Allah's Messengerﷺ: "Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea." –[Bukhari].
If our beloved Messenger of Allahﷺ used to repent one hundred times a day, then we should strive to do that as a minimum.
3️⃣ Increase Voluntary Acts of Worship Gradually: Quite often, we overwhelm ourselves trying to do too much too quickly. Instead, we should aim to prepare our body and soul by gradually increasing our Ibadah. It is better to be consistent in smaller deeds than being inconsistent and ambitious in our worship.
The Prophet's wife Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا narrated: "The most beloved of deeds to Allah's Messengerﷺ was that which is done continuously, even if it is small." –[Bukhari].
Practical Step: Start performing extra Nawafil prayers, voluntary fasts, and increasing your Qur’an recitation in the build-up to, and during the month of Ramadan.
4️⃣ Rectify Relationships and Clear Debts: What vessel can be filled if it's already cracked? Similarly, how can Ramadan fill your heart with Barakah if relationships remain broken?
The Prophetﷺ taught us: "The one who severs ties of kinship will not enter Paradise." –[Bukhari].
Like the story of Prophet Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ who forgave his brothers despite their betrayal, use this time to heal wounds, forgive those who have wronged you, and seek forgiveness from those you may have harmed.
Practical Step: Explore the concepts of mercy and forgiveness in Islam, and let it into your heart. Lead by example in transforming yourself, and others will follow, Insha’Allah.
5️⃣ Create a Realistic Ramadan Plan: Would a merchant enter the most profitable season without a business plan? Likewise, should a believer enter Ramadan without a spiritual strategy?
The Prophetﷺ said: "Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your busyness, and your life before your death." –[Al-Hakim].
Practical Step: Design a daily Ramadan schedule that balances work, family responsibilities, and increased worship. Include specific goals for Qur’an reading, Dhikr, and additional prayers.
>>>>>>>>6️⃣ Simplify Your Life to Maximise Spiritual Focus: Just as the Sahaba would clear their schedules for Ramadan, examine what aspects of your life can be simplified to prioritise time for devout worship. Allahﷻ tells us in the Qur’an: "So remember Me; I will remember you." –[2:152].
Like Maryam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ who withdrew from worldly distractions to focus on her worship, identify and eliminate unnecessary activities that could divert your attention during Ramadan.
Practical Step: Declutter your home, prepare meals in advance, and reduce consumption of worldly distractions such as social media before Ramadan begins.
7️⃣ Having a Healthy Diet: Abstaining from food and drink for most of the day is mentally and physically demanding. Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet is crucial to keep energy levels consistently high whilst preserving our Ibadah.
It is also important to remember to eat moderately like in the times of the Prophet Muhammadﷺ, with no wastefulness. We recommend foods such as grains, fruits, dates, dairy, eggs, meat and nuts.
Practical Step: Plan your Suhoor and Iftar in advance. Research the best foods to aid you in your spiritual journey, and include them before anything else. You can treat yourself, but avoid deep-fried and unhealthy foods that tend to cause laziness.
Are you willing to let another Ramadan pass you by? To stand before Allahﷻ on the Day of Judgment with the weight of wasted opportunity on your shoulders?
The Prophetﷺ warned us: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink." –[Bukhari]. Allahﷻ will not accept the fasting of someone who lies, commits evil deeds, and speaking badly to others.
Without preparation, we risk fasting only from food and drink, while our hearts remain untouched. We might reach Laylatul Qadr—the Night of Power—exhausted, rather than at the peak of our devotion.
Ramadan will be over before we know it. If this were to be your last Ramadan, would your preparation reflect its importance? Would your heart be ready to receive the guest that Allahﷻ has sent as a mercy to mankind?
Remember the powerful words of the Qur’an: "O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light." –[4:174].
This Ramadan is that light—illuminating the path to Taqwa (God-consciousness). The choice, dear brother and sisters, is yours. Prepare now, so that you may truly experience the true miracles of Ramadan, instead of watching another pass you by.
May Allahﷻ grant us all the wisdom to prepare our souls for the blessed month ahead. May we remove our imperfections and negative attributes from our hearts. And may we ready our minds to focus this Ramadan and make it one to remember. Ameen.