5 Practical Ways to Welcome Ramadan
Ramadan is a sacred month that provides an unparalleled opportunity for self-reflection, increased devotion, and spiritual renewal. It is the month of fasting and worship, of Quran and kindness, of liberation and triumph. As we prepare for Ramadan, we should express gratitude to Allah ﷻ for allowing us to witness another blessed month, Alhamdulillah.
Our prophet Muhammad ﷺ eagerly welcomed Ramadan, encouraging companions to increase their worship and avoid sinful deeds.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ
"There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived."'
To make the most of this blessed month, it is important for us to prepare for Ramadan both spiritually and physically.
Allah ﷻ mentions in the Quran:
أَيَّامًۭا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۚ
"˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days."
Since Ramadan is only for a limited time, it is essential to engage in Ramadan spiritual preparation to maximise its rewards. Here are 5 practical ways to ensure you enter Ramadan with focus and dedication.
1. Renew your Intentions and Mindset
Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink; it’s an opportunity for self-improvement and strengthening your relationship with Allah ﷻ.
Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab, the Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى
"The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”
Set clear spiritual goals, whether it’s increasing prayers, reciting more Quran or developing a habit of gratitude. A sincere intention is the foundation of Ramadan fasting tips that will help you stay motivated.
2. Increase in Supplications
Narrated by Aishah R.A
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is your view if I know when the Night of Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it?” He said, ‘Say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
(Allāhumma innaka `Afuwwun [Karīmun], tuḥibbul-`afwa fa`fu `annī).
“O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous], You love pardon, so pardon me.”
This supplication is one of the best Ramadan spiritual preparation practices taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, especially in the last ten nights. Increase your du'as, asking for forgiveness, guidance, and blessings.
May Allah ﷻ grant us the blessings of Laylatul Qadr, accept our prayers and forgive our sins. Aamiin.
3. Strengthen your Connection with Quran
Allah ﷻ mentions in the Quran:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ
“Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority”
Ramadan is the month of the Quran, making it the ideal time to deepen your engagement with it. A key Ramadan fasting tip is to set goals for Quran recitation, memorisation, and reflection. Even if it’s just a few verses daily, consistency is key. Establish a habit of reading, understanding, and applying its teachings in your daily life to strengthen your faith and connection with Allah.
4. Engage in Acts of Kindness and Charity
Narrated by Ibn Abbas:
انَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَأَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ، حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ، وَكَانَ جِبْرِيلُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدُ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ.
“The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur'an with him. Allah's Messenger ﷺ then used to be more generous than the fast wind.”
The Prophet ﷺ Muhammad was known for his generosity, especially during Ramadan, emphasising its immense rewards in the holy month.
In a hadith narrated by Anas, the Prophet ﷺ was asked:
فَأَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " صَدَقَةٌ فِي رَمَضَانَ"
"Which charity is best?" He (pbuh) said, "Charity in Ramadan."
One of the easiest ways to prepare for Ramadan is by increasing sadaqah, feeding the needy, and helping others.
Narrated by Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:
مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْئًا
“Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person's), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.”
Prepare for Ramadan spiritually by increasing acts of kindness and charity. Give sadaqah, provide iftar or volunteer in your community. The Prophet ﷺ was especially generous during Ramadan, and by following his example, we embody its true essence. Make generosity a daily habit, even through small acts like sharing a meal.
5. Establish the Night Prayer
Narrated by Abu Dharr, the Prophet ﷺ said
إِنَّهُ مَنْ قَامَ مَعَ الإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ كُتِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ
“Indeed, whoever stands (praying) with the Imam until he finishes, then it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night”
The night prayer, Tarawih, is one of the ways to revive the nights of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged the companions to observeTarawih after their Isya’ prayers.
Narrated Abu Salama bin `Abdur Rahman:
He asked Aisha R.A "How was the prayer of Allah's Messenger ﷺ in Ramadan?" She replied, "He did not pray more than eleven rak'ahs in Ramadan or in any other month.
يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا
He used to pray four rak'ahs - let alone their beauty and length - and then he would pray four - let alone their beauty and length - and then he would pray three rak'ahs (witr)."
She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Do you sleep before praying the witr?' He replied, 'O `Aisha! My eyes sleep, but my heart does not sleep."
Conclusion
Ramadan is a limited yet precious opportunity to cleanse the soul, seek Allah’s mercy, and strengthen our faith. By renewing our intentions, increasing supplications, engaging with the Quran, practicing charity, and performing night prayers, we can prepare for Ramadan in a way that ensures maximum spiritual growth and blessings.
May Allah ﷻ grant us the ability to witness Ramadan with sincerity, devotion, and unwavering faith. Ameen.