Preparing for the blessed month of Ramadan
Muslims all over the world are looking forward to the month of Ramadan, which is the month of mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, in order not to miss the blessing of this sacred month, it is necessary to prepare oneself beforehand for fasting.
Let me share five basic deeds which will benefit our readers:
1. Sincere repentance
Whoever strives to receive all the blessings of Ramadan must first of all sincerely repent so as to be cleansed of all sins and make a new start in the month of fasting. If you want your repentance to be accepted by the Lord, it is necessary for you to have a firm intention not to return to sinful deeds in the future. When a believer begins his fast from repentance, then its beginning becomes good and gracious.
2. Pray to the Almighty
When Ramadan is approaching, a Muslim should supplicate to the Almighty to give him the strength and health to fast the whole month in the best possible way, i.e. to perform all types of worship that bring him closer to his Lord in this blessed month. This includes worshipping during the nights, performing additional prayers (taraweeh), reading the Holy Koran, numerous remembrances (dhikr), reading salawat (blessing) on the Prophet Muhammad , giving alms to those in need and much more.
3. Praise and gratitude to the Lord
When Ramadan starts, every servant of God is obliged to give praise to the Almighty that he has received another chance to live to this month in good health and has the opportunity to fast and worship at this blessed time. After all, the Messenger of God himself at the onset of the month of Rajab asked the Almighty to give him the opportunity to live until the month of Ramadan (meaning), “O Allah, give us a blessing in the months of Rajab and Shaban and let us reach Ramadan.” (Narrated by At-Tabarani)
4. Manifestation of joy
Believers should manifest sincere joy on the occasion of Ramadan, for this month contains countless blessings that are sent down to sincere believers and grateful servants of the Almighty. How can we not rejoice the coming of this month, when the Prophet said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Narrated by AlBukhari)
5. Making a plan for the month of Ramadan
Every Muslim should have a plan for the entire month of Ramadan so as to take advantage of every minute. One should make a plan for each day in order to organize one’s time and assign the deeds for the whole day. It will permit the provision of a certain time for each kind of worship and will help to towards its performance in the best way. For example, time to read the Koran, time to visit a mosque, time to support family ties, time to visit the sick, etc.
It is better for those who work in an organization to take a vacation on Ramadan and devote this month to harvesting their Akhirat (eternal life). A famous Islamic scholar, Abu Bakr Balhi, said, “Rajab is the month in which seeds are planted, that is, people increase their worship. Shaban is the month in which crops are watered and Ramadan is the month in which the crops are harvested.”
A hadith of the Prophet says, “The month of Ramadan is atonement until the next month of Ramadan. The sins committed between them (with the exception of great sins) are forgiven by the Almighty.” (Narrated by Muslim)
May the Almighty help us observe this month properly and spend it in sincere worship to Him. Amin.
ADIL IBRAGIMOV
