Allah سبحانه و تعالى blesses us with a benevolent month every year! The marvelous month of blessings… the amazing month of fasting… the spectacular month of punctuality and discipline… the benevolent month of mercy and repentance… the noble month of tranquility… and the magnificent month of the Noble Quran!
The Blessed Month of Ramadhan!
We must pray to Allah سبحانه و تعالى to bless us with this month because none of us has a guarantee that they will be present to experience the next Ramadhan. The righteous slaves of Allah سبحانه و تعالى used to pray to Him months before Ramadhan to keep them safe until Ramadhan, to keep Ramadhan safe for them and to accept it from them.
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, said, “It was narrated from Az-Zuhri, from Abu Salamah, from Abu Hurairah that: the Prophet used to encourage praying Qiyam Al-Lail in Ramadan, but not forcibly. And he said: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are close, and the devils are chained up.”” Sunan an-Nasa’i 2104, Grade: Sahih
So, we must start preparing for it from now itself so that we may be completely ready to make the most of it right from the beginning. In Sha’a Allah. How should we prepare for this blessed month so that we may gain all that it has to offer?
Below are some of the tips which shall help us in enhancing our worship and strengthening our relationship with Allah سبحانه و تعالى . Start them now! Who knows for how long are we to live?
- Reflect on Your Salaah
How many of us know what are we reciting in our daily salaah? Most of us are simply parrot-reading or pecking on the ground. Learn the meanings of the duas and surahs that you recite in your Salaah. This will sweeten the Salah to such a level that uttering only a “Subhaan Rabbi Al A’laa” will sound so sweet and so beautiful. Besides that, it will definitely let you feel that true connection when you know the meaning of what you are reciting.
- Improve and Beautify Your Prayer
Ever wondered what to recite when the ruku and sajdah are prolonged? Ever wondered what else to recite before ending the prayer?
This is the best time to learn all those supplications that you always had on your list. Duas which prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم used to recite before Surathul Fatihah, in Ruku’, during the prostrations, between the prostrations, and before the end of the prayer. Start now and get it into practice. By doing so, our Salaah will get definitely enhanced and beautified.
- Do Dhikr
Most of us start using the shield and armour of the adhkaar in the month of Ramadhan. We have been prescribed various adhkaar to recite in the mornings, evenings, and nights. Why wait till Ramadhan? Begin now itself and start bringing them into action and memorize them. Within a few days, you will realize that you do not need your book or phone because you will know it by heart. This is a wonderful opportunity and very soon your tongue will be wet with dhikr!
- Start Praying the Nafl Prayers
The optional or supererogatory prayers, i.e, the sunnah and nafl prayers are usually neglected. By doing so, we miss the great rewards. Do not wait for Ramadhan. Start with these prayers and incorporate them in your daily life. This is a great way to exercise your body so that you may make the most out of Ramadhan.
Improve the connection with Allah by connecting with Him during the dark nights. Stand for Tahajuud and let the angels be the witness! Bring it into practice from now on so that you are prepared for the Taraweeh and the Qiyam. Pray to Allah earnestly and out of complete sincerity.
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
- Recite Qur’an
Do not wait for Ramadhan to open the glorious Quran. Open it now, read and contemplate over the verses revealed by our Creator. Recite a few verses every day. Try to memorize some new surahs. This will truly embellish your salaah as well. Qura’an will definitely enlighten your heart and provide you solace and tranquility.
If you are a non-Arabic Speaker, then read a translation and authentic exegesis (Tafseer) along with the verses. Remember, not to just read but also bring the verses of and lessons of the Qur’an into practice.
- Warm-up your body for fasts
Some of us take time in order to fit in the month of fasting. Now is the wonderful time to observe some of the optional fasts such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. Besides that, this is an ideal time to make up for the missed fasts. It is a great time to warm-up your body so that it’s all prepared for the month of Ramadhan. Remember the Ar – Rayyan Gate. It is open to those who used to fast.
Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said : In Paradise there is a gate called Ar’Rayyan, it will be said on the Day of Resurrection: “Where are those who used to fast? Would you like to enter through Ar-Rayyan?” whoever enters through it will never thirst again. Then when they have entered it will be closed behind them, and no one but they will enter through it. (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
- Learn to be Patient
The best are those who are the best in character. This is an ideal time to beautify and embellish your character. Learn to control your anger and to control your tongues.
Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said “Fasting is a shield against the Fire. Whoever starts the day of fasting, let him not act in an ignorant manner during that day. If anyone treats him in an ignorant manner, let him not insult him or curse him, rather let him say: “I am fasting.” ( Sunan an-Nasa’i )
These are some of the resolutions. Let’s make an intention to improve our Ibaadah and to purify our souls so that we may be of those who can get their rewards multiplied abundantly. Remember, Ramadhan is all about Piety and Taqwa.
Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Quran,
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
Therefore, get into action now in order to achieve all the Bonuses and the wonderful offers.
May Allah سبحانه و تعالى bless us all with this blessed month and may we be of the righteous. Ameen.
