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07 Jan 2025
Preparing for Ramadan

Preparing for Ramadan: A Journey of Spiritual Growth

 

The blessed month of Ramadan is nearly upon us—a time of fasting, worship, and spiritual renewal. For many, Ramadan represents an opportunity to deepen their relationship with Allah, shed bad habits, and embrace good deeds. However, true success in Ramadan doesn’t start on its first day.

Preparation is key, and the months of Rajab and Sha’ban serve as steppingstones to maximise your spiritual potential.

 

If you haven’t started preparing, don’t lose hope. Every moment in Ramadan is precious, and it’s never too late to turn back to Allah with sincerity. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the mindset you should cultivate during Rajab and Sha’ban and offer practical advice for those who may feel unprepared as Ramadan approaches.

The Mindset for Rajab: Sowing the Seeds of Good Deeds

 

Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the Sacred Months (Ashhur al-Hurum) in which good deeds are magnified, and sins should be avoided. Think of Rajab as the time to plant the seeds of spirituality, cultivating habits that will flourish in Ramadan.

 

What to Focus on in Rajab:

 

  1. Abandon Major Sins: Begin by sincerely repenting for any major sins and committing to avoid them moving forward. Use this sacred month to purify your heart and mind.
     

  2. Establish Daily Worship Habits: Start performing regular prayers on time, increasing your recitation of the Quran, and making dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
     

  3. Pray in the Masjid: Whoever attends Isha (prayer) in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) spend the entire night standing (in prayer).
     

  4. Give Charity: Even small acts of charity in Rajab can soften the heart and earn immense reward.

 

The key to Rajab is to initiate your spiritual journey by laying a strong foundation for what’s to come.

 

The Mindset for Sha’ban: Increasing in Worship

 

Sha’ban, the eighth month, is a bridge between Rajab and Ramadan—a time to water the seeds you’ve planted. It’s the month when your deeds are raised to Allah, and fasting becomes an emphasised act of devotion.
 

How to Maximize Sha’ban:

 

  1. Voluntary Fasting: Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who fasted frequently in Sha’ban. Aim to fast on Mondays, Thursdays, or the white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month).
     

  2. Strengthen Your Relationship with the Quran: Use this month to increase your Quran recitation and reflect on its meanings. This prepares your heart for the heightened spirituality of Ramadan.
     

  3. Seek Forgiveness: Clear your heart of grudges and animosity. Make constant istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and prepare to enter Ramadan with a clean slate.

 

Sha’ban is the time to increase your spiritual stamina, ensuring that by the time Ramadan begins, acts of worship feel natural and consistent.

The Mindset for Ramadan: Reaping the Fruits

 

Ramadan is the pinnacle of spiritual growth—the month of fasting, mercy, and salvation from the Hellfire. It is during this blessed month that you harvest the fruits of the seeds you’ve planted in Rajab and nurtured in Sha’ban.
 

Goals for Ramadan:
 

  1. Perfect Your Worship: Pray on time, engage in Taraweeh, and strive for khushu’ (deep focus) in your Salah. Make every moment count.
     

  2. Quran and Reflection: Set a realistic goal for completing the Quran, whether it’s reciting one juz’ per day or reflecting deeply on smaller portions.
     

  3. Give Generously: Use Ramadan as an opportunity to give both obligatory Zakat and voluntary Sadaqah. Support causes that help the vulnerable and less fortunate.
     

  4. Make Dua and Seek Laylatul Qadr: Dedicate time for dua, especially in the last ten nights, and seek the Night of Decree, Laylatul Qadr, when Allah multiplies rewards immensely.

 

Ramadan is the time to be flawless in your efforts, pushing yourself to be the best version of a believer. However, if you feel unprepared, don’t despair.

What If You Didn’t Prepare in Rajab or Sha’ban?

 

Life gets busy, and not everyone is able to make the most of Rajab and Sha’ban. But Ramadan is a month of mercy, and Allah’s door of repentance is always open. If you didn’t prepare earlier, take these steps to ensure you make the most of this holy month:
 

Eliminate a Sin

Start small by eliminating one sin that has been holding you back. For example:
 

  • Quit smoking or other harmful habits.

  • Avoid swearing or using foul language.

  • Stop listening to music and replace it with Quran or Islamic lectures. The word of the Allah is unlike the word of the creation, listening to the Quran constantly will change what you find beautiful to listen to.

 

By taking practical steps toward removing these sins, you demonstrate sincerity to Allah.

 

Focus on Repentance

Begin Ramadan by turning to Allah with a heart full of regret for past mistakes.

Allah says in the Quran:
 

“O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
 

—Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53

 

Ask for forgiveness, make dua, and strive to avoid repeating those sins.

 

Start a Simple Act of Worship

Even if you feel overwhelmed, begin with a simple act of worship. For instance:
 

  • Perform two extra units of Salah (Tahajjud) before Fajr.

  • Read even a few verses of the Quran each day.

  • Make consistent dhikr, such as saying “SubhanAllah,” “Alhamdulillah,” and “Allahu Akbar.”

 

Small, sincere actions can lead to profound changes in your heart.

 

Set Realistic Goals
 

It’s never too late to set goals for Ramadan. Even if you missed Rajab and Sha’ban, focus on what you can achieve now. Prioritise what matters most—prayers, fasting, Quran, and charity—and take it one day at a time.

 

Exiting Ramadan a Better Muslim


Ramadan is a gift from Allah—a chance to seek forgiveness, earn immense rewards, and reset your life. Whether you started preparing months ago or are just beginning now, what matters most is sincerity and effort.

 

Approach this holy month with the intention to exit it as a better Muslim than you entered.

 

Use this Ramadan to make a permanent change in your life, asking Allah for His mercy and guidance.

 

May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, and good deeds, and may we all leave Ramadan as better servants of Allah.

 

Ameen.

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