The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.

 

How to Prepare for Ramadan

Some things you can do to prepare for the blessed month include:

1. Set your intentions

The foundation of Ramadan preparations starts with intention (niyyah). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that actions are judged by intentions, making this a key part of spiritual preparation. Renew your intention to fast sincerely for Allah, to improve your salah, increase good deeds and seek forgiveness.

2. Make a Ramadan plan

By making a clear plan, you are more likely to stay consistent and increase productivity. Create a realistic schedule that balances worship, family, work and rest. Things to add include:

• - A personal Ramadan timetable
• - Prayer goals (including Nafl and Sunnah prayers)
• - Quran reading targets (some Quran apps allow you to add this)
• - Charity goals
• - Dua list

You can print your timetable or use notes on iPhone to help track progress and reflections.

3. Make up missed fasts

Missed fasts must be made up. It is always recommended to keep missed fasts from the previous year before Ramadan starts. This prevents the number of fasts from building up, which can become overwhelming.

If you do not have missed fasts, you can keep voluntary fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

4. Pray more consistently

Strengthening your salah before Ramadan builds spiritual momentum. Focus on praying on time, especially Fajr, and gradually add voluntary prayers including Tahajjud and Sunnah prayers. This will help you develop a habit and will help prepare you for Taraweeh. These acts bring immense blessings and closeness to Allah.

5. Increase Quran recitation

Ramadan is the month of the Quran. Begin building the habit of daily recitation now, even if it's a few verses a day. Listening to tafsir, reading Islamic stories and reflecting on the Quran's meaning also strengthen faith and understanding of Islam.

6. Give charity

Good deeds and giving charity hold a special reward in Ramadan. Make giving a daily habit through Zakat, Sadaqah, sponsoring iftar meals or supporting our charity Ramadan appeal. Supporting local initiatives and global causes builds unity, helps multiply reward and ensures families around the world have the necessary items to get through Ramadan without worrying.

7. Learn & reflect

This is the ideal time to develop good habits and work on self-reflection. You can learn the fiqh of Ramadan and fiqh of fasting to carry out worship in the correct manner and Sunnah traditions to earn more blessings during the blessed month. Reflect through journaling, watching Islamic lectures and reminders to strengthen spiritual preparation.

8. Improve your diet

Physical preparation is essential to ensure your body is ready for fasting. Focus on balanced nutrition so you are able to sustain long fasting hours and avoid overeating when you break your fast. You should also:

• - Maintain proper hydration
• - Practice food and water hygiene
• - Have protein, healthy fats and slow-release carbohydrates
• - Take part in light exercise to maintain energy levels

Remember, Ramadan doesn't have to be a time for feasting on lavish meals; we should continue to maintain a good diet. If you have a medical condition like diabetes, you should consult a health professional before making any lifestyle changes.

9. Improve your Dhikr

Dhikr keeps the heart connected to Allah. Increase remembrance through tasbeeh, istighfar and sending peace upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Dhikr is especially powerful during quiet moments before iftar and in the last third of the night.

10. Increase acts of worship

During Ramadan, Muslims try to be better in all aspects. The blessed month is the time to elevate every good deed. Read voluntary prayers alongside obligatory prayers, make extra dua and seek forgiveness often. Prepare spiritually for Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree, which is better than a thousand months.

11. Prepare practically for Eid

Making Eid preparations early will help maintain focus during Ramadan and prevent distraction in the final days. Practical preparations include deciding Eid outfits, planning modest celebrations and budgeting early.

Remember, Eid is a celebration of worship completed, not consumption and excess.

Ramadan is a time to develop good habits for the long-term

Remember, Ramadan is a time to improve our lives for the long-term. It is the perfect chance to develop good habits and have the intention to continue these good habits in the future.

By following these Ramadan preparations, your body and soul will be more ready to welcome the blessed month. Planning ahead, increasing worship, improving health and giving generously helps every Muslim to experience the beauty of another Ramadan, In Shaa Allah.

 

Ramadan Mubarak! May this blessed month bring endless blessings for you and your loved ones. Ameen.

 

Explore things to do in Ramadan to truly make the most of the blessings available.