Ramadan Checklist
Preparing for RamadanIt is important for us to prepare for the Holy Month of Ramadan in order to reap the maximum benefits from this month. Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and his noble Sahabah (radiAllahu anhum) used to look forward to the coming of the blessed month of Ramadan. The Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would say in his supplications: Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna Ramadan (O Allah bless us in the month of Rajab and Sha'ban and help us to meet and spend Ramadan (in a deserving manner).
Ramadan is the month of excitement and enlightenment for Muslims. It is the month of revelation of the Holy Qur'an, the month of reading and reciting the entire Qur'an, the month of tahajjud and qiyamul layl, of tarawih prayers, of sadaqah, zakatul fitr, and zakat al maal.
No one can go anywhere without preparation, and no one invites a guest without preparing to welcome him/her. Similarly, to welcome Ramadan -- the month of fasting -- one has to prepare. The following are some tips to help you receive and welcome this noble month of Ramadan.
1. Ask Allah to enable you to reach Ramadan and to get the most out of it as the Salaf used to do.
2. Intend to fast every day with Iman and pure intention seeking the reward from Allah alone. The Prophet said, 'Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven'.
3. Try to read the whole Qur’an at least once as the Prophet did.
4. Have Suhur as the Prophet said, “Have Suhur because it is blessed”.
5. Make Du’a during the fast because the Prophet said that three people’s supplication is not rejected one of them is the fasting person. Ask for the good of this life and the next for yourself, your family and Muslims in general.
6. Make Dua before opening the fast. The Prophet said, “The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he opens his fast”.
7. Give Sadaqah and be good to people. The Prophet was the most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan.
8. Avoid anything that diminishes the fast such as, lying, backbiting, cheating, getting angry. The Prophet said, “Whoever does not abandon false words and deeds Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink”.
9. Do not eat too much after Iftar.
10. Ask for forgiveness since this is the month Allah frees people from the fire.
11. Pray At-Tarawih with Khushu'. If you pray in the Masjid complete the Salah with the Imam. If you pray at home prolong the Salah as long as you can. The Prophet said, “Whoever prays during Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven”.
12. Feed the poor and invite others for Iftar. The Prophet said, “Whoever gives Iftar to someone fasting he will have the same reward without decreasing the reward of the person fasting”.
13. Try harder the last ten nights especially the odd nights. The prophet would strive in Ramadan more than he would in any other month and more so in the last ten days.
14. Say this Dua in the nights that Laytul-Qadr is likely to fall on:
Allahumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul-afwa fa’fu anni (O Allah you are Forgiving and love forgiveness so forgive me).
15. Ask Allah to accept all your good actions during this month.
Before Ramadan begins
1. Try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, as of today.
2. Start reading Qur'an daily after Salatul Fajr.
3. Spend some time listening to recitations from the Qur'an.
4. Train yourself to go to bed early so that you can wake up for Salatul Fajr.
5. Keep yourself in a state of wudu' at all times.
6. Evaluate yourself daily before going to bed. Thank Almighty Allah for all the good deeds you do, and repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.
7. Give yourself some time alone, so that you can meditate, make dhikr, tasbih, takbir, tahmid, tahlil, and other forms of dhikr. You will experience spiritual elevation and you will enjoy life tremendously.
8. Those who can afford to make 'Umrah before Ramadan comes should do so, and those who are able to perform 'Umrah in Ramadan should do so. 'Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to (the reward of) a hajj.
9. Start giving (charity) daily, no matter how little it is. Make it a habit, like eating and drinking.
10. Find time to pray extra nawafil (optional) salah, such as Salatul Duha, Qiyamul Layl, and Salatul Tahajjud. (note: If you have fardh - obligatory - prayers to make up, it is much more important to fulfill those first.)
11. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Holy Qur'an, books on Seerah (the life of the Messenger of Allah), hadith, and fiqh.
12. Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge, and other talents.
13. Try to write articles on Islam for Muslims and others for non-Muslims.
14. Associate with Muslim scholars, 'ulama, and pious believers so that you may learn from them.
15. Train yourself to do good, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and render useful service to others.
16. Try to learn how to make da'wah to non-Muslims, and engage in this noble activity. It is an art requiring knowledge and training.
17. Try to spend more time with your family, and remind them to prepare for Ramadan as well.
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