Image source: https://abuhorreya.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/taraweeh-prayers/
Ramadan will arrive very soon. It will come in exactly 24 days* from now. What have we done to prepare our best self to welcome Ramadan? Or do we still think that 24 days is still a long way to go?
The first generations of Islam had always longed for this holy month. They prayed six months prior to the arrival of that month so that Allah swt will prolong their age at least until they can meet the next Ramadan. Then, when Ramadan finally comes, they put their best effort conscientiously to achieve as much good deeds as they can in this month full of barakah. And when Ramadan has passed, they keep on making supplications to Allah swt to accept all of the efforts they have made.
As we know, Ramadan is a very eminent month for the Muslims that. It is the month full of blessings and also a month of worship, repentance, and reconciliation with Allah. All good deeds made in Ramadan will get multiple rewards in return. Who wouldn’t want to get such rewards? We have to prepare ourselves in the best possible way to maximise the rewards that we can grab during Ramadan.
Preparing for Ramadan is the same as marathon running. You have to start by running slow at the beginning and getting faster towards the end. You do not want to start by ‘running’ fast at the beginning and suddenly losing your energy in the middle of Ramadan. We will share with you several tips for you to get prepared before Ramadan comes (while there is still time!):
- Make du’a to Allah swt to give us longevity so that we are able to meet Ramadan in our best state and best health. A healthy body enables us to maximise our prayers and it eases us to make good deeds. From Anas bin Malik r.a.: when Rasulullah saw sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah in the following words, ”Allahuma bariklana fii rajab wa sya’ban, wa balighna ramadan. O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan.” (Narrated by Ahmad dan At-Tabrani).
- Plan your daily agenda to gain the most benefit from Ramadan. Ramadan only lasts 30 days. Therefore, we must be able to utilise our time well. Don’t let even one second of your time go to waste in Ramadan. When you are idle, you can kill time by reading the Quran or make dzikr – anything that can make you closer to Allah swt.
- Understand the ruling (fiqh) of Ramadan. It is our obligation to understand the knowledge and ruling of fasting before Ramadan comes so that our deeds are correct and valid, and will be accepted by Allah swt.
- Condition your mind and soul. You can achieve this by reading books about tadzkiyatun-nafs – the purification of the soul. You can also attend study circles or lectures that discuss about the virtue, ruling, and hikmah of fasting in Ramadan.
- Avoid sins and maksiat. With Ramadan coming up, start fresh. Open and start a new blank white page and fill it up with a long list of good deeds. Repent to Allah with the real repentence – taubatan nasuha. “And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” [An-Nur:31].
Written by Dita Augystiana.
IQRO Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a vision to develop a solid community by applying and promoting comprehensive Islamic values to the Australian community. The organisation, which was established in 2000, have provided excellent social services to the community to enhance their knowledge and skills through various events and activities; and also serves as a platform to enable them to contribute back. Like us on Facebook to receive updates on our upcoming events or visit www.iqro.org.au for more information.