It is few weeks to the month of Ramadan, the month of glory. Undeniably, Ramadan is the most awaited month in Islamic Calendar. Looking back to history, our predecessors have started their preparation to receive the month of Ramadan even 6 months before its arrival.

What are the few main things that we can do to prepare ourselves to welcome the blessed month? Here we share two main points that we can do to equip ourselves months before its arrival, hoping that we managed to go to gear five even on the first day of the month. Get Set For Ramadan.

Performing Sunnah Fasting

‘Practice makes perfect.’ This is the phrase that I always reminded my children before achieving a good result in their task. It same goes for fasting in Ramadan. To those who have yet to complete the previous years’ obligatory fasting, try to finish it as soon as possible. To the rest, it is good that we can practice sunnah fasting on Mondays and Thursdays to train our body to adapt to the fasting state inshaaAllah. Prophet Muhammad (please & blessings be upon him) performed voluntary fasting a lot in the month of Shaaban. Aisha (may Allah bless her) reported that Prophet Muhammad (please & blessings be upon him) would fast until we said he will never break his fast. He did not fast until we said he would never fast. I did not see the Prophet complete an entire month of fasting except for Ramadan. I did not see him complete more voluntary fasts than in the month of Shaaban. In another narration, Aisha said: The Prophet would fast Shaaban and then connect it to Ramadan.[1] There are few other points to help us have a good fasting experience. Read more on ‘do’s and don’ts’ on how to be ‘Healthy in Ramadan’.

Renew Our Connection with The Quran

Ramadan and the Quran are synonymous. There is no sweetness of Ramadan without the Quran. How can we renew our connection with the Words of Allah? Should we just read and read the Quran without understanding the meaning? For many non-native Arabic speakers like myself, undeniable reading the Quran without understanding the meaning is very common. Should we continue like this? Definitely not. Ramadan and even few months before it is the best time to move forward. Our connection with the Quran should involve five components. They are reading, understanding, implementing, memorizing, and teaching it to others. It sounds a lot but not to worry. How can we do them? Go slow at our own pace, depending on our own capabilities. Plan and start small but remain persistent and most importantly, ask for Allah’s help. Do not be overwhelmed with them, for indeed our religion is easy and do not burdensome. Abu Huraira reported: Prophet Muhammad (please & blessings be upon him) said,
“Verily, the religion is easy, and no one burdens himself in religion but that it overwhelms him. Follow the right course, seek closeness to Allah, give glad tidings, and seek help for worship in the morning and evening and a part of the night.“[2]

Knowledge Dunes has prepared its 2022 Ramadan Planner.. Insha-Allah it will help us keep organized, planning for the blessed month, especially regarding rebuilding our connection with the Quran. This year is the fourth year that Knowledge Dunes produce this Ramadan Planner, inshaaAllah. This planner is suitable not only for ladies but can also be utilized by men alike. It is also ideal for teenagers. We tried to improve some of the features that are already available since the last years’ editions. We have also provide simple tips on how to prepare for Ramadan.

Jazakumullahu khairan and Barak Allahu feekum.

[1] Saḥiḥ al-Bukhari 1868, Ṣahih Muslim 1156
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari 39