Preparing for Ramadan - Some useful tips...

Next time you step into your local shops, ponder over how the Kuffar are preparing for Christmas already. Whilst they begin 3 months in advance for one day, what have we done for this honoured month that lays only days away?
----------------------

It is important for us to prepare for the Holy Month of Ramadan in order to reap the maximum benefits from this month. Rasulullah (may the prayers of Allah and peace be upon him) and his noble Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to look forward to the coming of the blessed month of Ramadan. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would say in his supplications:

Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna Ramadan
"Allah bless us in the month of Rajab and Sha'ban and help us to meet and spend Ramadan (in a deserving manner)."

Ramadan is the month of excitement and enlightenment for Muslims. It is the month of revelation of the Holy Qur'an, the month of reading and reciting the entire Qur'an, the month of tahajjud and qiyamul layl, of tarawih prayers, of sadaqah, zakatul fitr, and zakatul mal.

No one can go anywhere without preparation, and no one invites a guest without preparing to welcome him/her. Similarly, to welcome Ramadan -- the month of fasting -- one has to prepare. The following are some tips to help you receive and welcome this noble month of Ramadan.

1. Try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, as of today.

2. Start reading Qur'an daily after Salatul Fajr.

3. Spend some time listening to recitations from the Qur'an.

4. Train yourself to go to bed early so that you can wake up for Salatul Fajr.

4. Keep yourself in a state of wudu' at all times.

5. Evaluate yourself daily before going to bed. Thank Almighty Allah for all the good deeds you do, and repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.

6. Give yourself some time alone, so that you can meditate, make dhikr, tasbih, takbir, tahmid, tahlil, and other forms of dhikr. You will experience spiritual elevation and you will enjoy life tremendously.

7. Those who can afford to make 'Umrah before Ramadan comes should do so, and those who are able to perform 'Umrah in Ramadan should do so. 'Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to (the reward of) a hajj.

8. Start giving (charity) daily, no matter how little it is. Make it a habit, like eating and drinking.

9. Find time to pray extra nawafil (optional) salah, such as Salatul Duha, Qiyamul Layl, and Salatul Tahajjud. (note: If you have fardh - obligatory - prayers to make up, it is much more important to fulfill those first.)

10. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Holy Qur'an, books on Seerah (the life of the Messenger of Allah), hadith, and fiqh.

11. Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge, and other talents.

12. Try to write articles on Islam for Muslims and others for non-Muslims.

13. Associate with Muslim scholars, 'ulama, and pious believers so that you may learn from them.

1 4. Train yourself to do good, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and render useful service to others.

15. Try to learn how to make da'wah to non-Muslims, and engage in this noble activity. It is an art requiring knowledge and training.

16. Try to spend more time with your family, and remind them to prepare for Ramadan as well.

Faisal Abdur Razak

BUMP...

Feel free to share your tips

These are really good tips mashaallah. I wouldnt have anything different to these.

JazaakiAllah khair for sharing them

jzakiAllah kahyr sister for the post

i think the most vital tip in the blessed month of Ramadan is to regularly eat sahoor

^'The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book (non-Muslims) is suhoor (predawn meal).' -Muslim

juzaakillahu khayran Yasmin.

Successful indeed are the believers
Who are humble in their prayers,
And who shun vain conversation,
And who are payers of the poor-due;
And who guard their modesty - Sura Al-Muminun 1-5

jazaana wa iyyaakum *smile*

juzaakillahu khayran girls,

very useful tips indeed!! Cant wait for Ramadan to begin

asalamu alaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatahu

Amaal wrote:^'The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book (non-Muslims) is suhoor (predawn meal).' -Muslim

i wasnt aware of this hadith; Jazakkallahu khairn

why do you have to eat in the morning? I feel so sick that time of day so there sno way i can eat, even if its something small

Inshaa Allaah all is well Sis. Have a read below:

(a) What would fulfill eating Suhoor?

Eating Suhoor would be fulfilled by eating a small or large quantity of food, or even just by drinking a sip of water as mentioned in the Hadith of Abu Said al-Khudri. However, the best of Suhoor is eating dates since the Prophet (S) said: "How excellent are dates as the believer's Suhoor". [Abu Dawood, Ibn Hibban and al-Baihaqee; Sahih]

(b) The time for Suhoor: The time for Suhoor is between the middle of the night and dawn. It is considered best to delay it (that is, as close to dawn a possible).

Also: `Amr Ibn al-`Aas reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "The distinction between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the book [Jews and Christians] is the taking of Suhoor". [Muslim]

There are blessings in Suhoor ...

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: "Indeed Allah placed blessing in the Suhoor and in the weighing [of grain]". [Shirazi and al-Khateeb/ al-Jami`us-Sagheer; Hasan]

Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "Eat Suhoor, for there are blessings in it." [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Salman also reported that the Prophet said: "Blessing is in three : The Jama`a [the congregation of the Muslims], The Thareed [a broth of (crumbled) bread and meat] and the Suhoor". [Tabarani and Abu Nu`aim; Hasan]

A companion said: "I entered upon the Prophet (S) and he was taking the Suhoor and he said: "It is a blessing which Allah has given to you, so do not leave it". [Ahmad and an-Nasa'i; Sahih].

JazaakiAllah Khair for sharing.

thanks

nice