By Saima A. M.
As the month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims across the world prepare themselves. In kitchens, freezers are stacked with foods, recipes are shared and saved, grocery items are added to a never-ending shopping list. New suits for Eid are selected. In all this chaos, let’s ask ourselves one question. When did Ramadan become more about decorating our dining tables than preparing our soul?
The Paradox of Preparation
Our plans that focus solely on hosting festive iftar parties do not honour the distinguished month of Ramadan. We should instead focus on purifying our souls and opening up to receive divine mercy. Allah says, “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting, as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may become righteous.” (2:183) This verse points towards the goal of fasting, that is “taqwa”: consciousness and righteousness. So before this month arrives, let’s take a look at what we can do to prepare our hearts for this blessed month of Ramadan.
Prepare Before the Journey
Consider this for a moment: you are about to go on a journey. Do you directly board a train? Or do you plan ahead about the trip? People who plan before initiating a task and carefully consider all aspects are the ones who reach their goal. Whereas the ones who start their journey without prior planning, often get lost and face many obstacles in their way to reach the goal. As the blessed month of Ramadan is approaching, we must plan and prepare ourselves beforehand. We are mortal beings; we don’t know if the next Ramadan will come in our lives or not. So it’s important that we prepare for this blessed month and fulfil duties that are expected of us.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to begin preparing for Ramadan well in advance, as he knew the importance of preparing oneself spiritually. For him, the preceding months (especially Rajab and Sha’ban) were like a transition period. The companions were instructed to fast and increase the recitation of the Qur’an. The purpose was that when Ramadan came, they were all accustomed.
Begin with the End in Mind
Stephen Covey, in his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, discusses that successful people always “begin with the end in mind’’. They start the journey keeping the end in sight: where to reach, what to achieve. Hence, the first step for preparation is to set goals for Ramadan. The purpose of fasting is to achieve “Taqwa”, meaning piety, fear of Allah. The rewards of Taqwa are manifold. “Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.” (16:128) We should prioritise this goal: to achieve some level of piety in ourselves. The month of Ramadan comes to purify us, both physically and spiritually, to make us a different, better person. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim that “from one Ramadan to the next is an expiation for what is between them.” In order to truly attain this, we must begin the necessary work.
Confronting Inner Obstacles
This brings us to the next step: purifying our hearts. The Prophet ﷺ said: “In the month of Ramadan, the gates of Paradise are opened, gates of Hell are closed, the devils are chained.” (Sahih Bukhari) In this month, optimal conditions for our spiritual growth are created by removing external obstacles. It is then our duty to remove the internal obstacles that would otherwise hinder this development. Obstacles such as our mobile phone usage, time spent on social media, grudges towards other people, gossiping and backbiting, haram relationships, disputes with relatives and friends, the list goes on. Our principle is: identify the clutter and remove it before Ramadan.
So what are some of the important things we should know of, as we enter this auspicious month? The Prophet ﷺ said, “There are many people who fast, but get nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst.” (Ibn Majah) Many of us, apart from not eating or drinking, don’t achieve the piety for which fasting was prescribed. We fail to use the fast to cultivate the skill of guarding ourselves against sins for the rest of the year.
Practical Steps Towards Sustained Change
Although the list of obstacles that hinder our spiritual growth varies from person to person, there are some common things that everyone should be cautious of. The most important of these is our time management. In this fast-paced world, gadgets consume most of it. Their advantages aside, we are so deeply ingrained into mobile phones, internet and social media these days, that their harm has become greater than their benefit. This doesn’t mean complete withdrawal; rather, it calls for conscious consumption. This is a direct extension of our fast. We must go beyond abstaining from food. We must guard our senses – eyes, ears, heart – from violations. Avoiding gossip – whether in person or online, speaking only when necessary, staying away from arguments and vain talks is also crucial.
As the Qur’an was revealed in this auspicious month, we often focus solely on completing it quantity-wise. Instead, try engaging in reflection, “tadabbur”. Join study circles where this kind of learning takes place. Perform Taraweeh with khushu (mindfulness). Spend some time daily reviewing your day. Acknowledge the blessings, seek forgiveness for mistakes, plan how to overcome shortcomings.
Allot some time each day to completely disconnect from devices, like a “digital detox”. Break the fast with simplicity. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ preferred dates and water. Try sharing meals with family and neighbours. Cultivate the practice of praying five times daily. These are some steps that can be taken but what’s more important is consistency. Whatever you practise in the month of Ramadan, ensure that you will carry those forward and maintain your spiritual well-being.
Importance of Presence and Self-Assessment
A crucial aspect in preparing for Ramadan is “presence”: conscious awareness. During prayer, when the mind wanders, gently bring it back, as you are standing in front of Allah, the Most Exalted. Throughout the day, engage in dhikr, even for a few seconds. Overall, the true preparation cannot begin until we engage in self-assessment. Introspect yourselves: are we actually prepared for our meeting with Allah? Ask yourselves: which sins do I commit repeatedly? What are my shortcomings that I can work to remove? What aspects of Deen do I find hardest to follow? Identifying the problem leads to a solution. Once you identify areas of improvement, start small. Join study circles and attend programmes where your Islamic Knowledge deepens. Value consistency. Adapt gradually. Start building good habits from now, before Ramadan. So that when the month of blessings comes, we are not overwhelmed. Appreciate your efforts. These baby steps will then lead to a stronger foundation.
Remember that this task of preparation and work will be challenging. Social pressure, moments of weakness, and many more. Difficulties will arise when you are following the right path. The question is how we respond to them. Anticipate challenges and work to navigate them. As Ramadan is approaching, let us not forget the essentials in the chaos of worldly preparations. Let’s not arrive at Ramadan with freezers full but hearts empty. Let’s enter this month not just with clean homes, but with pure souls as well. When the crescent is sighted, may we welcome Ramadan with a prepared heart, eagerly awaiting the divine mercy.
The journey is about to begin. The door to immense gain will open soon. Are you ready to enter?
