Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Have you Prepared for the Big Arrival?
Many people don’t understand or misunderstand the true essence of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadan; they look through aisles of grocery stores and skim through the satellite TV guide to plan their meals and accompanying TV shows! Ramadan is the month of fasting, a month of training and recharging, a month to be filled with worship; not a month of feasting and reclining!
Here are some practical tips on the best ways of preparing for the month of Ramadan like no other:
1. Feel Sincere Regret:
Actually repentance is necessary at all times, but as this amazing blessed month is approaching, it is more incumbent upon us to hasten back to Allah, to regret our sins, to fix our relationship with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), to amend relations with people; this is so when Ramadan begins you may work on yourself and perform acts of worship with a clean heart and mind inshaAllah.
Allah says what means: “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” (24:31)
The Prophet (peace be upon him), a man of exalted character, was reported seeking forgiveness from Allah seventy times a day. (Muslim)
The fact of the matter is that we have committed so many sins, major and minor, and those are just the ones we are aware of; what about all the sins we commit which we don’t even recognize, forget, or overlook? This Ramadan is an opportunity to turn back to Allah, begging for forgiveness for our sins, major and minor, intentional and unintentional, those we’ve commited once and those we’ve done repeatedly. Now is the time to repent.
2. Du’aa’ (Supplication):
It is reported that the Salaf would approximately pray to Allah for half the year that they would live until Ramadan, and then they would pray almost the other half that He would accept it from them, SubhanAllah!
As Muslims, we should ask Allah to let us live until Ramadan with a strong religious commitment and good physical health, and should ask Him to help us in obeying Him during this month and in asking Him to accept our good deeds.
3. Rejoice at Ramadan
The arrival of Ramadan is a great blessing that Allah bestows upon Muslims, because Ramadan is one of the occasions in which the gates of Paradise are opened and gates of Hellfire are closed. It is the month of the Quran and of decisive battles in Islamic history.
As mentioned in the Quran: “Say: In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.” (10:58)
4. Complete Qada Fasts
This is particularly important in preparation for Ramadan as often those who missed fasts in the previous year may have to rush in making them up before Ramadan. It is of great importance for women, the old, or those who were ill last Ramadan. You should complete any outstanding obligatory fasts from the previous Ramadan before this Ramadan arrives.
5. Seek Knowledge
Seek knowledge from your local mosque, trusted scholars, authentic books/Cd’s etc in order to understand and follow the rulings on fasting; otherwise like many a Ramadan you may not attain the spiritual sustenance and learn the key to fulfilling fasting. This will also help you understand the virtues of Ramadan, and to increase your knowledge, love, fear, good deeds. Then sit with your family to tell them of the rulings on fasting, and other things you learned – get them in the Ramadan mode early!
6. Fast in Sha’ban: Preparation for Ramadan
The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was reported to have fasted the most in Sha’ban.
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Therefore we should take advantage of opportunities to fast in this month.
7. Read Quran
The Salaf used to read Qur’an in preparing themselves to Ramadan:
• When Sha’ban began, ‘Amr ibn Qays would close his shop and free his time for reading Qur’an.
• 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.”
• He also said: “The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’ban is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’baan, how can he reap in Ramadan?”
Source:http://www.productiveramadan.com/hav...e-big-arrival/
May Allah enable us to make the best of now in order to prepare for the arrival of ramadan.
We still have a week left so let us finalise our preperations so that we can be ready to make the best of every second of Ramadan upon its arrival in a weeks time.
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Pre Ramadhan tips
1. Shape up your soul:
Prepare yourself spiritually by *fasting*on Mondays, Thursdays and the 13th, 14th, 15th of the lunar calendar in Shaa'baan. Wake up earlier than usual (even half an hour before Fajr will do) and*pray. Read the *Qur'an after Fajr even if it's only for 10-15 minutes. Stock up on interesting Islamic lectures that you can listen to during the day or on your way to work. If you're cooking or waiting in a line or have some free time, do Dhikr.
2. Detox your body:
Stifle the urge to munch snacks at odd moments or when you're bored. Drink lots of water, and avoid endless cups of coffee and tea. Start with a complex carbohydrate breakfast that releases energy slowly and allows you to stay energised through the day. Have a light meal at the end of day with lots of fruit, vegetables, live culture yogurt and salad.
3. Free your mind:
Get rid of all those erototoxins that are generated by watching music videos or listening to music and the anxiety hormones produced by watching the news on TV.*Wean yourself off TV, read an interesting Islamic book instead.
4.Tie your camel:
Do what it takes to keep you organised in Ramadhan. Shop for groceries in advance, prepare large batches of food and freeze them, chop vegetables and store them in airtight containers.
Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-the-Most-out-of-Ramadhan
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
JazakAllah Khayrun for bumping the thread akhi Ramadan's coning I'm excited need to prepare for it InshaAllah
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
:salam:
If you have an Iphone/ Ipad/ Ipod, this is a great app to have in shaa Allah:
http://qamardeen.com/
It allows you to track your salaah, quraan recitation, sadaqah and fasting each month.
If you flip your screen horizontally, it also provides a graph to help you visualise your progress (tbh, I only figured out this function now, as I am typing this :hiding:)
In shaa Allah, we can use these means to improve on our different forms of ibaadat, both out of, and within Ramadaan.
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Great thread. My suggestion if I can add my two cents is to delay your dinner time everyday little by little until it reaches the breaking fast time. Here in the U.S right now fajr is at 3:45 and maghreb is at 8:27 pm so if you usually have dinner around 4~5 try to acclimate the body by increasing that everyday so it wouldn't be shocking to go from zero to sixty in a day. Also try for protein packed meals for suhoor.
:w:
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
~Zaria~
:salam:
If you have an Iphone/ Ipad/ Ipod, this is a great app to have in shaa Allah:
http://qamardeen.com/
It allows you to track your salaah, quraan recitation, sadaqah and fasting each month.
If you flip your screen horizontally, it also provides a graph to help you visualise your progress (tbh, I only figured out this function now, as I am typing this :hiding:)
In shaa Allah, we can use these means to improve on our different forms of ibaadat, both out of, and within Ramadaan.
any apps for android ??
hmm thinking of staying away from my ph n lappy during ramadan lets c. It just gives u more time to do Ibadah
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Periwinkle18
any apps for android ??
:salam:,
Alhamdulillah, Ive just learnt that this app is now also available for android : ) https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...apps.QamarDeen
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Periwinkle18
hmm thinking of staying away from my ph n lappy during ramadan lets c. It just gives u more time to do Ibadah
Thats a good idea ukthi : )
It also depends on how you use your devices.
There are many great islamic apps available - e.g. reciting/ learning quraan, arabic, hadith, stories of the sahaba, lectures...and more - so these can be a means of increasing our deeni knowledge in shaa Allah, if we use it correctly.
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Planning stuff listening to lectures reading tons of Islamic books gng to boost my imaan level InshaAllah I'm excited no work this Ramadan (schools r off Yayyy) so I cn spend more time in ibadah used to get tired last year Cuz of work.
Ramadan is my favorite month of the year n I love fasting Alhumdulilah.
JazakAllah khayr brother hamza for this thread may ALLAH bless you and grant u jannah ul firdos ameen.
We need to prepare for Ramadan InshaAllah
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
I TOO am excited about my first Ramadan and also nervous fasting is not an issue for me as far as hunger but right now I work as a Pastry Chef so I spend 4-5 hours spitting stuff out or being mad because I've nibble out of habit not necessarily out of hunger and then there is the issue of my tongue and temper when hungry...just as prayer is greater during Ramadan so is the Sin....and although I am not married I have three husband (Head Chef,Executive Sous Chef, and Sou Chef) hat will scold me something fierce for not tasting... but I going to try to make it through inshallah.:D
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Quote:
I TOO am excited about my first Ramadan and also nervous fasting is not an issue for me as far as hunger but right now I work as a Pastry Chef so I spend 4-5 hours spitting stuff out or being mad because I've nibble out of habit not necessarily out of hunger and then there is the issue of my tongue and temper when hungry...just as prayer is greater during Ramadan so is the Sin....and although I am not married I have three husband (Head Chef,Executive Sous Chef, and Sou Chef) hat will scold me something fierce for not tasting... but I going to try to make it through inshallah.:D
Assalamu-alaikum sister,
Your first Ramadaan in shaa Allah (by the will of Allah)?
Alhamdulillah!
I can imagine how stressful it must be, to be a Chef in a busy kitchen, and to have to meet the high expectations of your customers and seniors throughout the day.
But Im sure that you are an expert at making pastry (unlike myself :exhausted), so you do not need to worry too much in shaa Allah : )
I was just wondering:
From your post, it appears that you may be working in a non-muslim restaurant? (as I would expect muslims to be more understanding during the month of Ramadaan with regards to tasting of dishes etc. Also, to have 3 Chefs in-command, does not really sound like a muslim restaurant :P ).
If this is so, then it would be most beneficial for you to seek employment in a muslim/ halaal restaurant.
The reason being, is that most if not all non-muslim restaurants are involved in the preparation/ selling of items that are haraam for us as muslims - e.g. pork, alcohol and meat that has not been slaughtered in a halaal manner.
Not only should we abstain from the consumption of all products that has been declared unlawful for us by Allah (subhanawata'la), but we should also steer clear from any associations/ dealings (both directly and indirectly) with them as well.
If I have been incorrect in my assumptions, then no worries - MashaAllah, cook on, my dear sister :)
I pray that Allah makes this Ramadaan most rewarding for you and may He shower you abundantly with His mercy and blessings.
Ameen
:wa:
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
Shaʿban: Preparation For Ramadan
Each year we are reminded that this Ramaḍān may be our final one. We also often remember those who were here last year but have passed on to Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) since then.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Ramaḍān, by the will of Allah, is the lifeline we desperately need: patience through fasting, tranquillity through the night prayer, purification through repentance, comfort through du‘ā’ and contentment through dhikr.
For this Ramaḍān to be our best, we should start preparing now, spiritually but also physically. The month of Shaʿbān is akin to the sunnah prayers. The sunnah prayers help us to get into the ‘mode’ of Salāḥ and prepare us for the farḍ prayers. By preparing in Shaʿbān, we are more likely to taste the sweetness of fasting and qiyām in Ramaḍān.
The following are some of the ways in which we can prepare for this momentous month:
1. Start fasting, especially if you have qada fasts
2. Increase in your recitation of the Qur’an
3. Start praying at night
4. Give charity
5. Start reading/listening to something which will boost your iman
6. Clear your heart
7. Hold yourself to account
8. Purify yourself before Ramadan by seeking forgiveness
9. Make a change in your routine
10. Draw up your Ramadan timetable
Read more detail of the above 10 points here:
https://lifewithallah.com/articles/s...n-for-ramadan/
Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan