You think of Ramadan, and your mind immediately takes you to the glorious days when you wake up before the sun to eat suhoor, spend your day making preparations for iftar, and dedicate your nights to taraweeh and the recitation of the Quran.

But what should you do before fasting — one of the five pillars of Islam?

At IMANA, we’ll discuss tips to familiarize you with how to prepare for Ramadan, which allows you to get closer to the Lord by being compassionate and grateful.

How to Prepare for Ramadan: A Guide to Enrich Your Soul

Here’s what you should do during Rajab and Shaban — the months preceding the holy Ramadan month — to prepare for the blessed days that lie ahead.

Prepare A Checklist, But Be Realistic

Preparing for Ramadan can feel overwhelming; there’s so much to do! That is why you have to write down your goals.

Preparing a Ramadan checklist gives you a big picture of what goals you would like to achieve during the holy month — goals that could help you enhance your spirituality. It could be as simple as reading 1 A juz’ every day, making morning Dhikr, improving your character, and praying more; it just has to be something doable, something realistic, something that won’t stress you out.

Knowing what to do step-by-step keeps you on track, which can improve your productivity. Try to ensure you continue this habit even after the blessed month is over so it will be easier to sustain and practice consistency.

Repent

We’re humans; we make mistakes. But Alhamdulillah, our creator, is forgiving.

The Prophet said, “All the children of Adam constantly err, but the best of those who constantly err are those who constantly repent.” (Tirmidhi).

One must sincerely repent for their sins and wrongdoings before the blessed month of Ramadan approaches. It will clean your mind and soul, guiding you to a straight path, allowing you to focus on offering prayer, giving zakat and sadaqah, making dua, and pleasing the Lord with acts of worship during the holy month.

Make Dua

Ibn Rajab narrated, “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.”

Wondering how to prepare for Ramadan? Make Dua with a sincere heart.

Making dua (supplication) is an indispensable part of being a Muslim; you must make dua to almighty Allah to “make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us and let us reach the month of Ramadan.”

One should also pray to the all-forgiving Allah to keep one in good physical health and help them lead a life He loves.

Recite and Reflect on the Quran

Imam Abu-Bakr al-Balkhi said, “The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Sha’ban is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crops.” 

Start your preparation for Ramadan by reading and reflecting on portions of the Qur’an. Recite it at a slow pace with humility and contemplation; doing so will allow you to understand the real meaning of every word. You will understand the responsibilities expected of you and get you closer to the Lord.

Meal Prep and Do Ramadan Shopping Ahead of Time

Ramadan is a sacred month dedicated to worship, which can be challenging to maintain if you spend your entire day cooking meals.

So, how to prepare for Ramadan?

Meal prep ahead of time to avoid spending too much time in the kitchen. It’s a great way to give your body a well-balanced meal; just make sure you don’t eat too much and too quickly. It can make you bloated and open you up to health concerns.

While we’re on the subject, it wouldn’t hurt to do your shopping for Eid before Ramadan begins. Instead , tasks done ahead of time will allow you to center your full attention on acts of worship.

Do Acts of Service

Acts of service begin at home, but they shouldn’t end there.

If the approach of Ramadan has been a blessing for you, you should be selfless and extend your support to the less fortunate. There are many ways you can let your generous spirit shine, such as providing those who cannot provide for themselves with monthly food packs and volunteering at a community kitchen.

There’s just so much good you can do for the world, the fruits of which you’re destined to reap in the hereafter.

Teach Your Kids the Significance of Fasting

Our earthly body may die, but our spirits will live on.

Fasting is an act of discipline. It shows that we’re ready to sacrifice the very thing that keeps us alive and healthy — food and water, for the greater good.

For kids, however, this significance is lost, so you must teach them the purpose of fasting. Sit down with your kids before the holy month rolls around to teach them what is the real meaning of Islam: to be generous, to be kind, to ask for forgiveness from the ever-compassionate Lord.

Make them understand that they can make personal sacrifices (that of food and time spent to play) to get closer to God.

Most Importantly, Be Charitable

The Prophet said, “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

The importance of charity, both during Ramadan and in general, cannot be stressed. One must share a portion of their wealth with the needy and deprived. It is a quality of soul that would get you closer to Allah, resulting in heaps of rewards in the hereafter.

Use the IMANA calculator to understand how much zakat you owe on your assets. If you want to make the world a better place to live in, you can entrust us with your Zakat, directing support to our Medical Relief Missions around the globe.